Content
Gray floater is a mushroom that belongs to the Amanitaceae family. The fruiting body also has another name: fly agaric vaginalis.
What does a gray float look like?
Externally, the fruiting body looks inconspicuous: it looks like a toadstool. Many mushroom pickers avoid it, considering it poisonous.
Description of the cap
It reaches 5-10 cm in diameter and is colored in various shades of gray: from light to dark. There are representatives whose color is brown or yellowish.The shape of the cap varies as it grows: in young specimens it is ovoid-ringed, then gradually becomes flat-convex with ribbed edges. There may be flaky residue from the general blanket. Its flesh is white and fragile, so it breaks easily.
The plates on the back of the cap are frequent and wide. In young specimens they are white, but gradually become yellow.
Description of the leg
The leg of the Amanita vaginalis is long: it reaches 12 cm in height and 1.5 cm in width. It is cylindrical in shape, hollow inside, with an expanded base. Upon examination, it can reveal flaky plaque and spotting, the shade of which is lighter than that of the cap.
The vulva is large, yellow-red in color. A characteristic feature is the absence of a ring.
Where and how does it grow
You can collect gray float everywhere: it grows safely in coniferous or deciduous forests, and is found in mixed plantings. The fruiting period is from July to September.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
The float belongs to the conditionally edible fruiting bodies. Its unprepossessing appearance and similarity to poisonous representatives are a common reason why mushroom pickers avoid this species.
It needs to be boiled before use. It should be borne in mind that the pulp is very fragile and breaks easily, which makes cooking the mushroom difficult.
Poisonous doubles and their differences
There is a possibility of confusing the fly agaric vaginalis with the toadstool. The latter has a brown-olive cap with a silky sheen or white flakes on the surface. As the fungus grows, it changes color to grayish.The main differences between the species are the absence of a ring on the stem in the double and the presence of a free pouch-like vulva.
It is necessary to distinguish the gray float from the stinking fly agaric. The latter is characterized by a wide-conical hat, reaching a diameter of 12 cm. It is sticky to the touch, shiny, and white. The pulp of the fruiting body has an unpleasant odor. The double is extremely poisonous and should not be used in food.
Conclusion
The gray float is a representative of edible fruiting bodies. Despite its unattractive appearance, it is suitable for cooking. The species is widespread and harvested from July to September. You should carefully examine the specimens: the gray float can easily be confused with the pale toadstool and the stinking fly agaric.
