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The sulfur-yellow false honey fungus, despite the name and obvious external similarity, is not related to any species of honey mushroom. It is inedible and belongs to the Strophariaceae family. The scientific name of the sulfur-yellow false foam in Latin is Hypholoma fasciculare. It is practically no different from edible mushrooms; it is quite difficult for an inexperienced mushroom picker to isolate it from the general mass.
Description of sulfur-yellow false honey
It is important for the mushroom picker to know a detailed description of the mushroom so as not to confuse it with edible representatives of the species, which always grow together. Their appearance is often similar, but the sulfur-yellow false honey fungus has several characteristic differences.
Description of the cap
The photo shows that the sulfur-yellow honey fungus has a modest, unremarkable fruiting body. It is small, with a convex (bell-shaped) cap, the size of which in circumference does not exceed 7 cm. Its color is light yellow, the crown is reddish, the edges are whitish with an olive tint. Overripe fruiting bodies have a flatter (prostrate) cap than that of young specimens.
On the bottom of the cap you can see the remains of the “blanket”. The main distinguishing feature of the false honey fungus is the gray, brown with blue color of the bottom of the cap, old plates, and rarely the upper part of the stem.
Description of the leg
Thin, smooth, elongated in the shape of a cylinder, rarely curved, hollow inside. It does not grow more than 10 cm in height, its diameter rarely reaches 0.7 cm. The color varies from cream to olive, darkening closer to the bottom and becoming bluish. In young mushrooms, dark film residues in the form of rings can be observed on the surface; in overripe fruiting bodies, this sign is not detected.
Light or dark yellow plates of young sulfur-yellow honey mushrooms are adherent; in overripe fruiting bodies they darken, turn purple, and when decomposing, acquire an inky color.
The dense, creamy, pale yellow flesh has virtually no odor. The characteristic mushroom smell and other third-party aromas are absent. After heavy rain, the mushroom may emit a faint odor of hydrogen sulfide.
The spores are smooth and oval, their powder is dark and brown.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
False foam (its pulp) is distinguished by unbearable bitterness. When cooked in the same pan with edible mushrooms, the fruiting body of this species poisons them too.
What toxin does sulfur yellow fungus contain?
False honey mushrooms contain resinous substances (aldehydes and ketones). They negatively affect the mucous membrane of the digestive system. When toxins enter the bloodstream, they spread throughout the body, inhibiting the functioning of internal organs.
Symptoms of poisoning, first aid
Within 2-3 hours after the false foam enters the food tract, dyspeptic disorders develop. Other symptoms: profuse sweating, fever, severe dizziness. As a result, the person loses consciousness.
Eating a poisonous mushroom, sulfur yellow fungus, can be fatal. It is especially dangerous for the elderly and children.
At the first signs of intoxication, nausea and vomiting, seek emergency medical help. Before being sent to a medical facility, follow the instructions given by doctors over the phone.
Where and how does it grow
The sulfur-yellow false honey fungus is often found in the north of Russia, less often it can be found in its central part. It grows on and near rotten stumps. Prefers plant remains of deciduous trees, rarely bears fruit on needles. This poisonous mushroom can also be found in mountainous areas. The inedible species grows from late summer to September; if the weather is warm, it can bear fruit until the first frost. The fruiting bodies form large groups (families); individual specimens of this species are less common.
Doubles and their differences
The false foam also has several poisonous and edible counterparts. There are few differences between them; it is important to study them in detail.
Edible
U real autumn honey fungus identical form to the sulfur-yellow false honey. The edible variety is light, coffee-colored, or less often cream-colored. The skin of the cap is covered with dark scales, and the stem has a thin skirt.
Summer honey fungus cream or beige in color, with light brown spots on the crown of the cap. The edible mushroom is distinguished from its poisonous counterpart by a thin wavy skirt around the stem.
The photo shows that grey-lamellar Honey fungus differs from sulfur-yellow false honey fungus in its light, cream-colored plates. Its hat is more rounded and convex. The fruit body is taller, the stem is thinner. On the reverse side of the cap you can see gray (smoky) fused plates.
Poisonous
Collibia fusiformis, as shown in the photo, differs from the false sulfur-yellow honey fungus in the red, orange color of the cap. The twin's leg is stronger, thicker, and wrinkled.
Galerina bordered - a thinner, more elegant mushroom of orange or ocher color. On the stem of the young fruiting body there is a clear membrane ring, which disappears with age.
Conclusion
Sulfur-yellow false honey fungus is an inedible, dangerous mushroom that causes severe poisoning. It differs little from the edible representatives of the species, which is its double danger. Beginning lovers of quiet hunting should refrain from collecting honey mushrooms if there is any doubt about their edibility.
