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Rogatik straight or ramaria rigida is an unusual-looking mushroom, similar to a fancy coral or deer antlers. In various catalogs it is classified as a representative of the family Gomphaceae, Chanterelleaceae, Rogatiaceae or Ramariaceae.
Where do straight cattails grow?
Rogatik straight is found in conifers and mixed forests of North America and Eurasia. In Russia it grows in the Far Eastern and European parts. Prefers to settle in spruce and pine forests.The fruiting body of the fungus develops on rotting wood, in particular on old trunks that have grown into the soil; less commonly, straight horned mushroom can be seen on the ground under bushes. It is the only member of the genus Ramaria that grows on trees. Fruiting occurs in the summer-autumn period; the species can grow either singly or in rows.
What do straight slingshots look like?
Ramaria rigida consists of many branched branches fused together on a thin and dense base. The color of the shoots varies from light orange and peach to ocher-brown, the tips are light yellow. With age, the tips dry out and turn brown. When pressed or damaged, the pulp acquires a wine-red hue; the same process can be observed on the cut.
The height of the fruiting body is 5-10 cm, the branches grow parallel and mainly upward. The diameter of a straight slingshot is usually half the height. The leg has a light yellowish tint; in some specimens you can see a blue-purple tint. The diameter of the leg rarely exceeds 1 cm, the height ranges from 1 to 6 cm.
The mycelial strand, which fixes the fungus on the substrate, is located at the base of the stalk. In appearance it resembles thin snow-white threads. At the point of contact of the fruiting body with wood or soil, an accumulation of mycelium can be observed.
In various reference books, straight slingshot is sometimes found under other names:
- hard ramaria (Ramaria stricta);
- ramaria straight;
- Lachnocladium odoratum;
- Clavaria stricta;
- Clavaria syringarum;
- Clavaria pruinella;
- Clavariella stricta;
- Corallium stricta;
- Merisma strictum.
Is it possible to eat straight slingshots?
Ramaria straight is considered inedible. The pulp has a pleasant aroma, however, it tastes bitter and pungent.The structure of the pulp is elastic, dense, rubber-like.
How to distinguish straight slingshots
Straight cornea can be confused with Calocera viscosa. Upon closer examination, significant differences can be found between the species. The color of calocera adhesive is more saturated, almost flashy. The fruit body may be bright yellow or bright orange. The height of the calocera does not exceed 10 cm. Numerous branches branch dichotomously, that is, the main axis bifurcates and stops its own growth. This branching is repeated many times, as a result of which the mushroom becomes like a bush, coral or a frozen fire. Classified as inedible.
Common ramaria (Ramaria eumorpha) is the closest relative of the straight hornet. The species are very similar in appearance. The fungus is widespread throughout the Russian Federation, where there are coniferous forests. Fruits from late July to early October. It grows in groups on spruce or pine litter, often forming so-called “witch circles.”
The vertical branches of common ramaria are distinguished by sharper tips compared to straight ramaria. The fruiting body is represented by a dense bush 1.5-9 cm high and up to 6 cm in diameter. The mushroom is uniformly colored in a light ocher or ocher-brown color; there are numerous thorns and warts on the surface of the branches.
Artomyces pyxidatus can also be mistaken for a straight horned plant. The species has vertical coral-like branches. The fruiting body is painted in a calm ocher-yellowish color.The clavicorona can be distinguished from the straight horntail by its size: sometimes it grows up to 20 cm in height. Another difference is the characteristic crown-shaped tips, which from a distance resemble the crenellated towers of a medieval castle. The habitats of the species are also different. Unlike the straight horned clam, the clavicorona clavicorona loves to grow on rotting deciduous wood, especially on old aspen logs.
Conclusion
Rogatik straight is an interesting representative of the mushroom kingdom. Along with other related species, it is undoubtedly an adornment of Russian forests.
