Content
Theoclavulina fir or horned fir is an inedible representative of the fungal kingdom of the Gomfaceae family. The species was first heard of in 1794. It grows among spruce trees in temperate regions. It begins to bear fruit in late summer and lasts until late autumn. Since the species has edible counterparts, in order not to make mistakes during mushroom hunting, it is necessary to study the external description, view photos and videos.
Where do pheoclavulina fir trees grow?
Theoclavulina fir prefers to grow in pine and fir forests, on needle-like litter in well-lit places. The species is rare and feels comfortable in regions with a temperate climate. After frost sets in, the dense flesh becomes watery and the mushroom dies.
What do fir pheoclavulinae look like?
In order not to harm your health, you need to know the external characteristics of the mushroom and look at the photo. This type does not have a cap or stem. The fruiting body is in the shape of a small coral, reaching a height of up to 5 cm and a width of up to 3 cm. The coral branches are flattened and erect, branching at the apex, forming beautiful decorative tufts. The coral-shaped mushroom is colored yellow-green; when mechanically damaged, the color changes to blue-emerald or dark olive.
The lower part of the fruit body is short, light emerald in color. The surface is smooth; closer to the surface of the earth, whitish mycelium is clearly visible, partially extending into the spruce substrate. The pulp is dense, fleshy, and light olive in color. The fruit body has a sweetish taste, with a bitter aftertaste. The smell is faint, reminiscent of the aroma of damp, damp earth.
Is it possible to eat fir hornets?
This representative of forest gifts belongs to the inedible species, but in some sources the species is considered conditionally edible. Before cooking, many mushroom pickers soak the harvested crop for about a day, thoroughly wash it and boil it for 15-20 minutes.If there is a desire to eat the species, it is necessary to collect only young specimens, since the fruiting body of old mushrooms is hard and bitter.
How to distinguish fir horntails
Fioclavulina fir, like any representative of the mushroom kingdom, has edible and inedible counterparts. These include:
- Fioclavulina Invala – this specimen belongs to the 4th category of edibility. The fruiting, coral body is colored light yellow. The branched bushy mushroom representative prefers to grow in small families in shady places, on dry spruce litter. It begins to bear fruit from July to October. To get rid of bitterness, the harvested crop is soaked for 10-12 hours before cooking, periodically changing the water. After boiling, the mushrooms can be fried and stewed.
- Feoclavulina yellow - a conditionally edible forest dweller that grows in coniferous and mixed forests. The fruit body is 10-15 cm high, colored bright yellow. It grows in families and begins to bear fruit from August to October. The pulp is dense and fleshy. Young representatives exude a pleasant herbal aroma. The taste of the mushroom is weak, so this species does not have many fans. This copy is not recommended for children and people with gastrointestinal diseases.
- Feoklavulina is beautiful is a large coral mushroom that grows in deciduous forests from late summer to mid-October. The fruiting body grows up to 20 cm and is painted in several colors: pink, whitish and ocher. The pulp is dense, fleshy, and turns red when mechanically damaged. The taste is bitter, there is no pulp.This specimen is poisonous and causes intestinal poisoning when eaten.
- Feoclavulina hard - inedible, but not poisonous specimen. The coral-shaped fruiting body is light yellow or brown. The dense pulp has a pleasant aroma. It is not recommended to use the mushroom in cooking due to its hot and bitter pulp. A rare species, it grows in the Far East and the European part of Russia, in deciduous and coniferous forests. It prefers to settle on rotten wood, stumps or on deciduous substrate surrounded by small bushes.
Conclusion
Theoclavulina fir is an inedible representative of the mushroom kingdom. Grows in spruce forests, on dry, needle-like substrate. It begins to bear fruit in the fall, like many forest inhabitants. Therefore, in order not to confuse it with its edible counterparts, you need to know the external description and look at the photo.
