Content
Blood-red russula belongs to the genus Russula, family Russula.
The name says that it can be eaten even raw. Therefore, they are safe. These mushrooms are not recommended for food. The blood-red variety does not contain poisonous elements, but the flesh has a bitter, unpleasant, acrid aftertaste.
Where do blood-red russulas grow?
Inedible blood-red mushrooms are often found in North America and Europe. This species is also common in South America and Australia. They live in mixed pine forests. Occasionally grow in open areas. The blood-red russula prefers sandy, acidic soils. Grows in groups. As a rule, they form mycorrhiza with pine. Fruiting period is August and September.
What do blood-red russulas look like?
When the mushroom appears, the shape of the cap is convex, but over time it becomes flat. Diameter 3-10 cm.The color of the upper part of the russula is blood-red, violet-brown, wine-red. When grown in a sunny area, the color fades, becoming a dull yellow.
The blood-red skin is difficult to remove. In the absence of rain the surface is matte, in wet weather it is shiny and slightly sticky. The edges are wavy, slightly ribbed.
Under the cap there are branched, frequent, narrow plates. They are intertwined, slightly descending onto the leg. The shade of the plates is first white, then beige.
The leg has a cylindrical shape. In old mushrooms it is hollow inside and never spongy. The structure is solid, smooth. Height 3-8 cm. The color of the lower part of the blood-red russula is red or pink. More intense shade at the bottom. With age, the leg turns yellow.
The pulp is dense, white or reddish. Slowly turns gray at the break. There is no smell. The spores are characterized by an ovoid shape, with a barely noticeable mesh, and warty. The powder from them is light yellow.
Is it possible to eat blood-red russula?
Blood-red russula is classified as an inedible variety. Mushrooms are not poisonous, but are not recommended for consumption. Russula pulp has a bitter taste not only when raw, but also when boiled. Mushrooms can cause minor gastrointestinal disorders.
How to distinguish blood-red russula
The typical shape of blood-red russula is easily confused with other mushrooms that have a red cap. Diagnostic features of this type:
- lack of pink tint on the leg;
- semi-matte, not bright cap with a slightly ribbed edge;
- slightly gray flesh;
- associated with pine.
Doubles:
- Russula blackening - conditionally edible mushroom.The surface color of the upper part is dirty white or brown. The shape is flattened or convex, depending on the age of the mushroom. The cap often has cracks. The leg is in the form of a cylinder. Fruiting occurs in summer. These doubles are found in deciduous forests and spruce forests. They grow in groups.
- Another relative of the blood-red mushroom is the brownish russula.. An edible representative of this type. The hat is matte, convex, burgundy in color. The pulp emits a strong herring aroma, which disappears during heat treatment. They grow mostly singly.
Symptoms of poisoning and first aid
There are four groups of poisonous mushrooms. Russulas, pigs, and nigellas belong to the last, 4th type. They all contain milky juice. The picture of poisoning is the same.
Symptoms:
- vomit;
- dizziness;
- diarrhea;
- thirst;
- general weakness;
- nausea;
- pain in the abdomen.
Gastrointestinal upset lasts one to two days. Then recovery occurs if appropriate measures are taken.
First aid:
- Calling an ambulance or transporting a patient to a medical facility.
- Gastric lavage. To do this, use a weak solution of potassium permanganate. You can also add several tablets of activated carbon. Or drink them afterwards.
- Don't forget to drink plenty of fluids.
- Provoking gag reflexes. Use a solution of table salt or mustard powder.
- Taking laxatives or a cleansing enema.
- Before the ambulance arrives, a person with poisoning is wrapped warmly if there is chills on the face.
- If severe dizziness occurs, give the patient strong tea.
In case of poisoning, there is no need to give alcohol to the victim. This will only speed up the absorption of the poison by the body. Food products will also cause harm; it is better not to feed the person anything, but only to give him warm drinks or water. Painkillers, especially tablets against vomiting or diarrhea, will not add benefit. Elderly people and children suffer the most severe poisoning.
Conclusion
Blood-red russula is a mushroom that is best avoided. This subspecies has quite bitter pulp; even with heat treatment it does not change its taste characteristics. Meanwhile, consumption can provoke a slight deviation in intestinal function. Normalization of the condition will occur after a couple of days.
