Content
The snow-white float is a representative of the Amanitaceae family, the genus Amanita. It is a rare specimen and therefore little studied. Most often found in deciduous and mixed forests, as well as in mountainous areas. It is a fruiting body, which consists of a cap and a whitish stalk. Detailed information about this specimen is provided below.
Description of the snow-white float
The pulp is white; when damaged, the color remains unchanged. On the fruiting body of the snow-white float, you can see the remains of a blanket, which is a bag-shaped and wide volva. The spores are round and smooth to the touch, the spore powder is white. The plates are frequent and free, noticeably widening towards the edges of the cap. Most often they are very narrow near the stem, but the sizes of the plates can vary.It has no pronounced taste or smell.
Description of the cap
At a young age, the cap has a bell-shaped shape, then it becomes convex or convex-spread with a well-defined tubercle in the center. Its diameter varies from 3 to 7 cm. The surface is white, light ocher in the middle. Some young specimens may develop temporary white flakes. The edges of the cap are uneven and thin, and its central part is quite fleshy.
Description of the leg
This specimen has a cylindrical leg, slightly widened at the base. Its length reaches about 8 - 10 cm, and its width varies from 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter. The ring near the stem, characteristic of many forest products, is missing.
At the ripening stage it is quite dense, but as it matures, cavities and voids form in it. Initially, the leg is painted whitish, but with age it darkens and acquires a grayish tint.
Where and how does it grow
Despite the fact that the snow-white float is considered a rare specimen, it can be found in almost every corner of the world, perhaps except Antarctica. The favorite places of this species are deciduous and mixed forests, as well as mountainous areas. However, for the development of the snow-white floater, it prefers mountains no higher than 1200 m.
The optimal time for fruiting is from July to October. The snow-white float has been spotted in Russia, Europe, Ukraine, China, Asia and Kazakhstan.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Snow-white float belongs to the category of conditionally edible mushrooms. Due to the fact that this species is poorly studied, there are other assumptions. For example, some reference books say it is inedible, while others claim that this species is poisonous. It has no special nutritional value.
Doubles and their differences
The snow-white float has a fairly common appearance, therefore it is very similar to various varieties of mushrooms, including poisonous ones. The following specimens can be classified as doubles:
- White float - is similar to snow-white not only in name, but also in appearance, which sometimes causes confusion. Belongs to the same genus as the snow-white floater. In youth it has an ovoid shape, gradually turning into a prostrate one. The pulp is white and does not change when damaged. The smell and taste are neutral, it belongs to the category of conditionally edible mushrooms. Unlike the snow-white one, the double is widespread both in Russia and abroad. Prefers deciduous forests with the presence of birch.
- Amanita stinking – has a regularly shaped cap and a thin stem, just like the species in question. Colloquially called toadstool, it is a poisonous mushroom. The difference from the snow-white float is the presence of a white ring on the leg, which immediately catches the eye. In addition, the poisonous representative of the forest secretes a special secretion; it accumulates on the surface of the cap and emits an unpleasant, fetid odor.
- White umbrella mushroom – edible, widely distributed in Europe, Siberia, the Far East and Asia. A characteristic feature of this specimen is a thick, fleshy cap with a diameter of 6-12 cm. The surface of the cap can be not only whitish, but also beige with small scales strewn with it. As a rule, it grows in steppes, in clearings and pastures, in open areas of coniferous and mixed forests.
Conclusion
Snow-white float is a rare species belonging to the category of conditionally edible mushrooms. This means that consumption is allowed, but only after proper pre-cooking and with extreme caution. In addition, it is worth remembering that this specimen has similarities with poisonous species, which, if used as food, can cause severe poisoning. To avoid such troubles, you should not collect mushrooms that raise even the slightest doubt.
