Content
Rogatik fistula is a little-known mushroom belonging to the class Agaricomycetes, family Tifulaceae, genus Macrotifula. Another name is Clavariadelphus fistulosus, in Latin - Clavariadelphus fistulosus.
Where do cattails grow?
It is found in deciduous and mixed forests with aspens, birches, oaks, and beeches. It grows next to paths on the grass, on litters of branches and leaves fallen from trees, often on beech, rarely on the ground.
Fruiting season is autumn (September, October). Appears in groups or single copies. It is quite rare.
What do cattails look like?
Clavariadelphus fistula has an elongated thin fruiting body, hollow inside, often curved. Its surface is matte, wrinkled, pubescent at the base, covered with white hairs. At first, the shape of the fruiting body is needle-shaped with a pointed apex. As it grows, the mushroom becomes club-shaped with a rounded top. Its lower part is cylindrical, the upper part is blunt. Gradually it acquires a lobe-like shape. Sometimes there are specimens with a beveled fruiting body. The height of the cattail reaches 8-10 cm, less often it grows to 15-30 cm. The width at the base is 0.3 cm, at the top – from 0.5 to 1 cm.
The color varies from yellow-ocher to ocher, yellowish-brown or fawn.
The pulp is elastic and dense, cream-colored, exudes a spicy aroma or has almost no odor.
The spores are white and have a fusiform or elliptical shape. Size – 10–18 x 4–8 microns.
Is it possible to eat cattails?
The mushroom is considered conditionally edible, but it is rarely collected. In some sources it is noted as inedible due to its rare use as food.
Taste qualities of mushroom
Clavariadelphus fistulosus belongs to the 4th category. It has low taste and low meatiness. Its pulp is tasteless, rubbery, but with a pleasant smell.
False doubles
A relative of Clavariadelphus fistulosus is the amethyst hornet. Found in deciduous and mixed (coniferous-deciduous) forests. Most often it grows singly, sometimes in small colonies shaped like a braid. Doesn't look like a mushroom at all. It is distinguished by a branched fruiting body, reminiscent of a bush or coral, and a bright color - brownish-purple or lilac. It grows on a short stalk or can be sessile. With age, its branches become wrinkled and darken. The pulp is white and turns purple when dried.Amethyst hornet is classified as conditionally edible. Its pulp is almost tasteless, with a faint odor. The fruiting season is from late summer to mid-autumn (August to October).
Another related species of Clavariadelphus fistulosus is the reed horntail. It is quite rare. It can be found in coniferous and mixed forests. It grows in small colonies on mosses, forming mycorrhiza with them. It got its name because of the shape of the fruiting body - it is tongue-shaped, often slightly flattened. The body surface is smooth and dry, becoming slightly wrinkled with age. At first the surface has a delicate cream color, after ripening the spores acquire a yellowish tint. The pulp is whitish, dry, almost odorless. Rogatik reed is a conditionally edible species with low taste. It grows from mid-summer to early autumn (July to September).
Use
Clavariadelphus fistulosus is rarely collected for human consumption due to its low culinary value.
Before use, it is recommended to boil for 15 minutes, then drain the water.
Conclusion
Rogatik fistula is a rather rare mushroom with an original appearance, practically unknown in Russia.
