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The lead-gray fluff has the shape of a ball. White when young. When ripe, it turns gray. The fruiting body is small. The mushroom was first identified by mycologist Christian Heinrich Person. It was he who, in his work of 1795, gave the mushroom the Latin name Bovista plumbea.
In scientific works the following designations are also found:
- Bovista ovalispora;
- Calvatia bovista;
- Lycoperdon bovista;
- Lycoperdon plumbeum.
The most common name for this variety in Russian is Porkhovka lead-gray. There are others: Devil's (Grandfather's) tobacco, Lead raincoat.
Where do the lead-gray fluffs grow?
They are thermophilic.They grow from early summer to autumn. They prefer areas with sparse grass. Places of growth:
- lawns;
- parks;
- meadows;
- roadsides;
- embankments;
- sandy soil.
What do lead-gray fluffers look like?
Fruit bodies are round. They have a small size (1-3.5 cm diameter). The lead-gray fluffer has no leg. The spherical body goes directly into the root system. It consists of thin mycelium. They grow in groups.
First white (both inside and outside). Over time, the lead-gray fluff takes on a yellow tint. At maturity, the color varies from grayish-brown to olive-brown. The pulp is snow-white, elastic. Then it becomes gray or black-green, as it is filled with mature spores. There may be more than a million of them. Stepping on an adult, darkened raincoat, a cloud of dust appears.
The spore print is brown. The seed powder is released through the apical pore formed at the top of the mushroom.
Is it possible to eat lead-gray fluff?
The lead-gray puffball is an edible mushroom. It can only be eaten when young, when the flesh is completely white.
Taste qualities of mushroom
The taste of lead-gray powder is rather weak. Some people don't feel it at all. The smell is pleasant, but barely perceptible.
This variety is classified as type 4 due to its very small size. Such mushrooms are recommended to be eaten as a last resort when there are no alternatives. Category 4 also includes russula, oyster mushrooms, and dung beetles.
Benefits and harm to the body
Lead-gray fluff is not in demand among mushroom pickers, although it improves immunity quite well and strengthens the cardiovascular system.Based on it, doctors make anti-cancer drugs.
It contains the following minerals:
- potassium;
- calcium;
- phosphorus;
- sodium;
- iron.
Has the ability to absorb heavy metals and other toxic substances. Once in the body, the fungus absorbs harmful elements and then removes them.
But the ability to absorb substances from the environment can be harmful. The fungus absorbs toxic components from the soil, accumulates them in tissues, and when it enters the human body, it releases them. Therefore, lead-gray fluff should not be collected along roadsides and in environmentally unfavorable areas.
False doubles
This mushroom can be confused with other puffballs. For example, with Vascellum field. It differs from the lead-gray fluffer by the presence of a small stalk and a diaphragm that separates the spore-bearing part.
Possible confusion with neighboring species is quite harmless. But there is a mushroom that, when young, looks like a lead-gray powder. This is a pale grebe. It is very dangerous - 20 g is enough to cause death.
At an early age, the mushroom also has an ovoid, rounded shape, but is wrapped in film. The pale grebe is distinguished by a sweetish, unpleasant odor and the presence of a stalk. Its fruiting body is round, but not as fused as that of the flutterer. The spore seal is white.
Collection rules
Only young mushrooms should be collected. There should be no dark spots on them. Pigmented areas on the fruiting body indicate the beginning of spore formation and loss of nutritional properties and taste.
Use
Porkhovka lead-gray contains 27 kcal per 100 g. Rich in protein (17.2 g). It is fried, stewed, pickled, salted, and added to soups and stews.
Conclusion
Lead-gray fluff is an excellent food product, as it is rich in microelements.Very good for health due to its absorbent properties. And despite belonging to the 4th category of edibility, it is tasty and nutritious. It is important not to confuse it with the pale grebe.
