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The differences between the satanic mushroom and the oak mushroom are quite obvious, but the two types of mushrooms also have quite a lot of similarities. To avoid making a dangerous mistake, you need to carefully study the descriptions and photographs of both mushrooms, and also remember the differences.
Distinctive features of oak wood
Dubovik is an edible representative of forest products with good taste, and in nutritional value is not much inferior to white. It grows mainly in mixed and deciduous forests near oaks, lindens and other trees, and is most abundant from August to October.
The mushroom is quite large in size - its cap can reach 20 cm in diameter; in young fruiting bodies it is convex and half spherical; in adults it straightens out and takes on a pillow-like shape. The color of the cap is variable, yellowish-brown, ocher or brown-gray, and the shades can change into one another even within the same fruiting body.The lower layer is tubular, the color of the tubes is light ocher when young and dirty olive in old fruiting bodies.
The leg of the oak tree is dense, strong, up to 15 cm in height, reaches 3 cm in girth, and in its lower part there is a noticeable thickening. The color of the leg is yellowish closer to the cap and darker below; on its surface you can see a clearly visible dark mesh.
Distinctive features of the satanic mushroom
The inedible satanic mushroom usually grows in the same places as the edible oak mushroom. It can be found on calcareous soils in deciduous and mixed forests; it is often located next to oaks, lindens, beeches and other trees. The satanic mushroom bears fruit at the same time as the oak mushroom - the most active growth occurs at the end of August and September.
The satanic mushroom belongs to the category of large ones; its cap can reach 20-25 cm in diameter. It is cushion-shaped in shape in adult mushrooms and convex in young fruiting bodies, and in color it is ocher-white, grayish, gray-olive, lead-gray or slightly pinkish. The surface of the cap is smooth, the underside is covered with tubes; at a young age they are yellow, but in old fruiting bodies they become red.
The leg of the satanic mushroom is massive and very dense, up to 6 cm in diameter and up to 10 cm in height. It is club-shaped in shape, with a thickening closer to the surface of the earth, and in color it is yellow with a bright red large mesh. Sometimes the mesh on the leg can be a lighter shade - olive or even whitish.
The satanic mushroom is not only inedible, but also highly poisonous. Accidental consumption of only about 50 g of pulp can lead to serious consequences - toxic damage to the liver and central nervous system.
How to distinguish a satanic mushroom from an oak mushroom
Dubovik and the poisonous satanic mushroom have a strong similarity; under certain conditions, it is quite difficult to distinguish them. The species are similar in size and shape of caps and legs, have similar colors, and turn equally blue when exposed to air.
But since an error during collection and preparation can lead to fatal consequences, including death, it is imperative to distinguish between fruiting bodies. This can be done by several differences between the porcini mushroom and the satanic one.
How to distinguish a mushroom from a satanic mushroom by its reaction to damage
Both the satanic mushroom and the edible, tasty oak mushroom acquire a blue tint when cut; this quality is usually attributed to similar traits. However, this is also where the difference lies.
If you press on the oak tree or cut its cap, the flesh will turn blue almost instantly, which is why the variety is unofficially called “bruise”. But when damaged, the satanic mushroom does not immediately turn blue - first its flesh acquires a reddish color, and only then slowly turns blue.
How to distinguish oak mushroom from satanic mushroom by the color of the pulp
Another difference is the color of the fresh pulp, which has not yet turned blue.On the fault, the oak tree will appear pale yellow, lemon in color. Poisonous fruiting bodies have light, almost white flesh; it may seem even more attractive, but you should not be deceived by the pleasant color.
How to distinguish a satanic mushroom from a boletus mushroom by the color of its cap
In terms of the color of the skin on the surface of the cap, the two varieties can be very similar. However, there is still a difference in color. The oak mushroom's cap is more olive in color, with orange notes, while the satanic mushroom's characteristic gray color always predominates.
First aid for satanic mushroom poisoning
Despite all efforts, sometimes the oak mushroom is still confused with the satanic mushroom and the poisonous pulp is eaten. This is very dangerous for human health - the toxic substances in the damn mushroom can severely damage internal organs and the nervous system. Eating too much poisonous pulp can even lead to death if the poisoned person decides not to see a doctor.
The first symptoms of poisoning usually occur 3-5 hours after consuming a toxic product. The timing greatly depends on the state of health and characteristics of the body, sometimes alarming signs can appear after 1.5 hours, sometimes intoxication occurs after 8 hours or more.
Symptoms of satanic mushroom poisoning are:
- pain in the stomach and intestines;
- nausea and vomiting;
- increased gas formation and diarrhea;
- noticeable weakness and dizziness;
- headache and fever;
- sweating and chills;
- feeling of lack of air and tachycardia.
Since symptoms increase over time, it is important to immediately call a doctor when the first signs of intoxication appear.In anticipation of his arrival, it is necessary to take a number of measures that can slow down the development of poisoning:
- First of all, you need to induce vomiting - this will remove from the body some of the toxins that have not yet had time to be absorbed into the mucous membranes. You need to drink at least 5 glasses of water in a row, or about 2 liters, and then forcefully empty your stomach. It is advisable to repeat the procedure 2-3 times until the remaining mushrooms leave the body entirely.
- If the poisonous mushroom pulp has been eaten for quite some time, you should drink a strong, fast-acting laxative or even give a cleansing enema. This will remove some of the toxins from the intestines.
- While waiting for the doctor to arrive, you need to drink plenty of water, in small portions, but often. Due to diarrhea and constant vomiting, the body intensively loses fluid, and dehydration due to poisoning poses a particular health hazard.
- It is best to wait for the doctor while sitting or lying down, without making sudden movements. It is strictly forbidden to go outside, much less go to work, despite feeling unwell.
Advice from experienced mushroom pickers
When collecting edible oak mushrooms, mushroom pickers advise remembering several rules:
- If the species identity of a find is in doubt, it is better to avoid it and not take risks. The consequences of satanic mushroom poisoning are too serious to rely on luck when consuming mushroom pulp.
- When trying to find the differences between the oak mushroom and the poisonous satanic mushroom, it is best to rely on the change in color of the flesh when cut. Other differences may be less noticeable and not as clear-cut.
- Not all satanic mushrooms emit an unpleasant aroma of rotten onions. Young fruiting bodies can smell very pleasant, so smell also cannot be considered a sufficiently reliable difference.
In photographs, the oak mushroom and the satanic mushroom may appear completely different from each other. You should not be deceived by this, since differences in appearance strongly depend on growing conditions and even on lighting. In the forest, the differences often become less obvious, but the similarities become very strong.
Conclusion
The differences between the satanic mushroom and the oak mushroom are easy to remember, but it is important to correctly apply the knowledge in practice. You need to look first of all at the rate at which the flesh turns blue when cut, and if the forest find is still in doubt, it is better to leave it in the forest and not put it in the basket.
