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Yellow hornet is a conditionally edible mushroom that resembles coral. It can be found in forests in temperate climates. The young fruiting bodies of this mushroom variety have a pleasant taste and beneficial properties for humans. Mature representatives are bitter and are not used for food.
Where do yellow cattails grow?
Yellow cattails (lat. Ramaria flava) are representatives of the Ramaria genus, the Gomf family. They are called synonymously: Yellow Ramaria, Deer Horns, Bear's Paw, Mushroom Noodles, Yellow Coral.
In Russia, the yellow hornet is found in the Caucasus, Crimea, and Karelia.It is also common in Finland. It prefers moist, clayey, moss-covered soils. This mushroom grows abundantly in areas with a temperate climate, in the forests of the foothill and mountain zones:
- coniferous, fir and pine;
- deciduous, with a predominance of beech, oak, hornbeam;
- mixed fir and beech.
Deer horns bear fruit rarely and little, from July to October. The favorable temperature for their development is 12 - 20 0C. This species grows singly or in groups forming arches or rows.
What do yellow hornets look like?
Externally, yellow cattails are similar to sea corals. Their surface is dry and matte. Multiple dense cylindrical branches extend from the thick stalk. They are almost the same length and end in two blunt peaks with truncated edges. The wet flesh turns reddish when pressed. In mature specimens, its texture is dense, and the twigs have a bitter taste.
The stem of this type of ramaria is 8 cm high and 4 - 5 cm in diameter. It is colored in the same color as the entire mushroom, but becomes lighter towards the base. The flesh of the leg is dense, with a grayish tint.
The color of the fruiting bodies varies depending on the degree of maturity and habitat. Mushrooms come in all shades of yellow: apricot, orange, ocher, cream. Under the branches near the stem they are colored gray-yellow.
Ocher-yellow spore powder forms on the outer surfaces of the cattail. The spores are oval and rough.
The dimensions of deer horns are impressive: height is 15 - 20 cm, diameter - 10 - 15 cm. The weight of one specimen can reach 2 - 3 kg.
Is it possible to eat yellow cattails?
Deer horns are conditionally edible mushrooms. Young fruiting bodies are eaten. The pulp of adult specimens is very bitter and therefore has no gastronomic value: yellow ramaria belongs to the 4th category. In cooking, this mushroom is used only after preliminary boiling.
Taste qualities of yellow hornet mushroom
The taste characteristics of deer horns are ambiguous. It all depends on the place of growth and the degree of maturity of the fruiting bodies:
- Young specimens have a pleasant light mushroom aroma, diluted with the smell of grass. The cooked pulp, depending on the processing method, with its delicate taste may resemble chicken breast or shrimp.
- Mature horned fruit bodies are unpleasant to chew due to their hard yet crumbly texture. The taste of the pulp is bitter, pungent, with a sour tint. Because of this, it is impossible to eat.
Benefits and harm to the body
The fruit bodies of yellow ramaria contain sterol, lipids, vegetable protein, and amino acids. Thanks to this composition, they have a beneficial effect on the human body, which contributes to:
- removing toxins and neutralizing free radicals, which prevents skin aging;
- increasing immunity;
- strengthening the walls of blood vessels and preventing thrombosis;
- normalization of psycho-emotional state;
- reducing the likelihood of cancer;
- improving the functioning of the respiratory system.
The negative impact of these fungi can manifest itself in disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and the appearance of allergic reactions.Ramaria yellow is dangerous to eat for pregnant and lactating women, elderly people, and those suffering from diseases of the digestive system.
False look-alikes of Ramaria yellowa
Some mushrooms have an external resemblance to yellow ramaria. Among the lookalikes there are both edible and inedible varieties:
- The beautiful hornet (Ramaria formosa) is an inedible mushroom. The height of its fruiting body is no more than 20 cm. The surface color contains pink, white and lemon shades.
- Golden ramaria (Ramaria aurea) is classified as a conditionally edible variety. The differences between it and the yellow hornet are visible only under a microscope.
- Blunt ramaria (Ramaria obtusissima) is an inedible, very bitter-tasting species that grows in mixed forests in the Far East and Siberia, where oaks and fir trees are present. The branches of its fruiting body have rounded ends.
- Calocera viscosa is a poisonous counterpart to the yellow ramaria. It can be distinguished by its dense jelly-like pulp and bright egg-yellow color. It grows on tree trunks and stumps that have fallen to the ground.
Collection rules
When collecting yellow cattail, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:
- You should not collect mushrooms that grow on stumps or dead wood. This may be the poisonous counterpart of deer antlers - Calocera adhesive.
- Only young specimens are cut, because mature ones are unsuitable for consumption.Advice! Adult yellow hornbills have brighter pigmentation than young ones.
- The soil around the mushrooms should not be stirred up - this destroys the mycelium.
- Fruiting bodies are conveniently placed in wicker baskets. They may get wrinkled in a bag or bucket.
How to cook yellow ramaria
In cooking, yellow ramaria is used to prepare mushroom soups, sauces, appetizers, and also as an independent dish. Fruit bodies are usually not preserved or pickled. It is allowed to store these mushrooms for a long time only in salted form.
To properly prepare yellow ramaria for use, you must:
- Rinse the fruiting body thoroughly under running water: due to the structure, dirt can become clogged between the branches.
- Boil mushrooms in boiling water for 30 minutes. It is prohibited to use the decoction.
- The pre-heat-treated Rogatik must be rinsed again under running water.
- Then boil the ramaria again for 10 minutes.
- Rinse the mushroom again under running water.
“Sharp corals” is one of the recipes for a savory snack made from yellow cattail. To prepare this dish you will need:
- boiled and washed slingshots – 500 g;
- red onion – 1 head;
- green onion – 1 bunch;
- garlic – 2 – 3 cloves;
- soy sauce to taste;
- vegetable oil for frying.
This appetizer is prepared in this order. Prepared mushrooms are divided into fibers. Red onion is cut into half rings, garlic into small cubes. Green onions are cut at an angle into pieces 5 - 6 mm wide. Fry red onions and mushrooms for 5 minutes. in a small amount of oil in a well-heated frying pan.Then soy sauce is poured into it, covered with a lid and simmered for 7 - 10 minutes. Remove the dish from the heat, add garlic and green onions, let it brew for 5 minutes. Hornets prepared according to this recipe are served cold or hot.
Another recipe for making pasta with hornets and sausages is presented in the video:
Conclusion
Yellow hornet is almost never found in Central Russia. Its branched fruiting bodies can be found in mountain and foothill forests. Young representatives of the species are eaten. The beneficial properties of the product allow it to be used in folk medicine and cosmetology. This variety should be collected with caution: it has poisonous counterparts.
