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The clavate horntail belongs to the Clavariadelphus family (lat. – Clavariadelphus pistillaris). The correct name of the species is Rogatik pistil. It was nicknamed club-shaped for the appearance of the fruiting body, which does not have a separate stem and cap, but resembles a small club. Another name is the Horn of Hercules.
Where do horned cubs grow?
Hornworts can be found in August and September in deciduous forests. They are very rare and grow singly or in small groups. Listed in the Red Book of Russia. They like to grow in warm, sun-warmed places, most often growing in the southern regions.They form mycorrhiza with trees, mainly beech.
In the Krasnodar region, mushrooms of this species can sometimes be found in the forest in October. They love moist, fertile soil and are found along river banks, not only under beech, but also under hazel, birch and linden trees.
What do club-shaped hornets look like?
The fruiting body of these mushrooms is club-shaped, can grow up to 20 cm in height and up to 3 cm in width. Longitudinal wrinkles are visible on it if it is an adult specimen. Young pistillate hornworts are smooth. Spore powder is white or light yellow.
The cap and leg are not pronounced. It is a single formation resembling a cylinder in shape, which tapers at the bottom. It has a yellow-reddish color and a light base. The flesh is light, spongy, turning brown when cut. If you touch the pulp, it takes on a wine-like hue. Young mushrooms are dense, with a smooth surface; with age they become looser and are easily squeezed in the hand, like a sponge.
Is it possible to eat horned cubs?
The club-shaped hornworts are a conditionally edible species. They are rarely found in nature and have been little studied. There were no cases of poisoning after their consumption.
Authoritative reference books classify this species as edible mushrooms of the 4th category, which have low nutritional value.
Taste qualities of mushroom
Club-shaped horns do not have a pronounced odor and sometimes taste bitter after cooking. Young specimens taste best; they can be salted or fried with spices.
Most often, lovers of “quiet hunting” avoid mushrooms of this type. They are not collected because of their bitter taste.To reduce bitterness, the collected specimens should be washed well and soaked in cold water for several hours.
False doubles
Truncated cattails resemble the species described. They are distinguished by a flat top of the fruiting body and a more pleasant, sweet taste. They grow in coniferous forests. They are rare in Eurasia; they are more often found in North America. They are classified as conditionally edible.
Another edible look-alike is the horned hornet or Clavariadelphus ligula. This is a small mushroom, up to 10 cm high. It has an elongated club-shaped shape with a rounded or spade-shaped tip. Young specimens are smooth, later they acquire longitudinal folds, and the cream color turns into orange-yellow. This species is more common than the club-shaped horntail, but also has low nutritional value and is used as food after boiling.
Collection rules
The club-shaped mushrooms are included in the Red Book of Russia, they are rare mushrooms, and require protection. In other European countries, where they are more common and not protected by the government, they are collected in August and September.
It is advisable to twist the antlers found among fallen leaves on forest edges from the mycelium by hand. This method of collection allows you to keep it intact, it does not rot, and continues to bear fruit successfully. After unscrewing the mushroom from the ground, fill the hole with a thin layer of soil so that moisture does not get inside.
Use
Club-shaped horns are rarely used for preparing culinary dishes and winter preparations. Although they are edible if salted, boiled or pickled.There are several reasons for the lack of popularity among lovers of “silent hunting”:
- bitter taste of the pulp;
- rarity of the species;
- ripening in a season when there are many other, more tasty mushrooms.
Despite the small popularity of horned birds, they are included in the Red Books of many countries. The reason for the decline in their numbers is the cutting down of beech forests, their favorite habitat. Cannot be collected in 38 regions of Russia, Ukraine, Wales and Macedonia.
Conclusion
Horny clavate is a rare conditionally edible mushroom. It is not collected by those who know that it is listed in the Red Book. The taste is more for everyone, the pulp can be very bitter, there is no pronounced smell. It does not have much nutritional value; it is almost impossible to see in the forest.
