Content
Psatirella cottonata is an inedible forest inhabitant of the Psatirella family. The lamellar mushroom grows in dry spruce and pine forests. It is difficult to find, despite the fact that it grows in huge families. It begins to bear fruit in mid-autumn, which lasts until the first frost. In order not to cause harm to your body, you need to know the external characteristics of the mushroom, familiarize yourself with photos and videos.
Where do psatirella cottontails grow?
Psatirella cottonata is a rare species that prefers to grow in small groups in dry coniferous forests. It begins to bear fruit from August to the end of October.
What do psatirella cottontails look like?
Psatirella cottonwood has a hemispherical cap, which straightens out as it grows and becomes almost flat. The surface is covered with a thin skin, which cracks in dry weather and gives the mushroom a variegated color. From under the thin peel, snow-white pulp peeks through, due to which the mushroom takes on a “cotton” appearance. The hat is painted light gray and becomes shiny and slimy after rain.
The spore layer is formed by thin whitish plates, which at a young age are covered with a snow-white blanket. Gradually they darken, the film breaks through and partially descends onto the stem.
The cylindrical leg can be up to 6 cm long. The upper narrowed part is painted white, closer to the ground – dark gray. The surface is covered with numerous light gray scales. The flesh of the species is dense and snow-white; when mechanically damaged, it emits a pleasant linden or lilac aroma.
Reproduction occurs by microscopic, ovoid spores, which are located in a dark purple spore powder.
Is it possible to eat psatirella cottontails?
This representative of the forest kingdom is considered inedible. In order not to confuse it with edible species and avoid food poisoning, it is necessary to study the external characteristics of the species. But if a mushroom accidentally gets on the table, it is important to notice signs of intoxication in time and provide first aid.
Symptoms of mild poisoning:
- cold, clammy sweat;
- nausea, vomiting;
- epigastric pain;
- diarrhea;
- fever;
- rapid pulse.
If signs of intoxication appear, you should immediately provide first aid. For this:
- Warmth is placed on the legs and stomach;
- the victim is freed from restrictive clothing;
- provide absorbents;
- if there is no diarrhea, a laxative should be given.
How to distinguish cottontail psatirella
Psatirella cottontail, like any forest dweller, has doubles. These include:
- Velvety – belongs to the 4th group of edibility. The species can be recognized by its bell-shaped cap, which partially straightens as it grows. The surface is up to 8 cm in diameter, covered with velvety skin of lemon-brown or light brown color. A cylindrical, slightly curved stalk 8-10 cm long, covered with dirty gray small scales. The pulp is fibrous, without a pronounced mushroom taste or smell. The mushroom grows among deciduous trees and begins to bear fruit from July to September. It grows singly and in small families in well-lit meadows.
- Globular - an inedible specimen that prefers to grow on stumps, damaged deciduous and coniferous wood. You can recognize the mushroom by its convex cream- or coffee-colored cap. After rain, the cap swells and increases in size. The whitish pulp is dense, fragile, without a pronounced taste or smell. The leg is hollow, slightly curved, reaches a height of up to 8 cm. It is covered with light gray scales, and the upper part is powdery.
- Kandollya – the species belongs to the 4th group of edibility. You can recognize it by its small bell-shaped cap of snow-white or lemon-brown color and a cylindrical whitish-coffee stem. The lower layer of the cap is formed by gray plates adhered to the stem. The pulp is thin and fragile, has a pleasant mushroom smell and taste. This specimen grows in large families among deciduous trees, in forests, parks and squares.It begins to bear fruit from May to October.
Conclusion
Psatirella cottonata is a beautiful, inedible representative of the mushroom kingdom. It prefers dry, coniferous forests and begins to bear fruit from August to early November. In regions with warm climates, the species grows from early summer until the first frost. To avoid getting mild food poisoning, you need to look through the information in the mushroom picker’s atlas, and when picking mushrooms, pass by unknown species.
