Content
Thelephora palmata, also known as thelephora palmata, is a coral-shaped mushroom belonging to the family Thelephoraceae of the same name. It is considered quite common, but it is difficult to notice this mushroom, since it has an unusual appearance that blends well with the environment.
Some facts from history
In 1772, a naturalist from Italy, Giovanni Antonio Scopoli, made the first detailed description of Telephora palmata. In his work, he named this mushroom Clavaria palmata. But almost 50 years later, in 1821, mycologist (botanist) Elias Fries from Sweden transferred it to the Telephora genus. Over the entire period of research, the mushroom itself received many names, since it was assigned several times to different families (Ramaria, Merisma and Phylacteria). Also, in many English-language sources there are its names that are associated with an unpleasant odor, for example, “fetid false coral” which means “stinking false coral”, or “stinking earthfan” - “smelly fan”. Even Samuel Frederick Gray, in his 1821 work entitled The Natural Arrangement of British Plants, described Telephora palmata as a “stinking branch-ear.”
According to Mordecai Cubitt Cook, a mycologist (botanist) from England, who said in 1888 that one day one of the scientists decided to take several specimens of Telephora digitata for research. But the smell of these samples was so unbearable that he had to wrap the specimens in 12 layers of paper to stop the stench.
Numerous modern sources also indicate that telephora palmata has a rather unpleasant pungent odor, however, from the description it becomes clear that it is not as foul as Cook described it.
What does telephora digitata look like?
Telephora palmata is shaped like a bush. The fruiting body is coral-like, branched, where the branches closer to the base are narrowed, and upward - expanding like a fan, divided into numerous flattened teeth.
The branches are brown in color, often arranged, flattened, covered with longitudinal grooves. Often with a light edging. The young mushroom has whitish, slightly pink or cream-colored branches, but as they grow they become darker, almost gray, and in maturity they even have a lilac-brown color.
The length of the fruiting body is from 3 to 8 cm, located on a small stalk, which reaches approximately 15-20 mm in length and 2-5 mm in width. The surface of the leg is uneven and often warty.
The pulp is fibrous, hard, brown when cut, and has an unpleasant smell of rotten cabbage, which becomes stronger after the pulp dries. The spores have an irregular angular shape, purple, with microscopic spines. Spore powder is brown to brown in color.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Telephora digitata is classified as inedible. It is not poisonous.
Where and how does it grow
Telephora palmata is found in:
- Europe;
- Asia;
- North and South America.
It has also been recorded in Australia and Fiji. In Russia it is more common in:
- Novosibirsk region;
- Altai Republic;
- in forest zones of Western Siberia.
Fruiting bodies are formed between July and October. Prefers to grow in moist soils, near forest roads. Grows in coniferous, mixed forests and grassy fields. Forms mycorrhiza with coniferous trees (different types of pine). They often grow together with legs at the base, forming a tight bunch.
Doubles and their differences
Among the mushrooms similar in appearance to Telephora palmata, the following species are worth noting:
- Thelephora anthocephala - is also an inedible representative of the family, and is distinguished by its branches tapering upward, as well as the absence of a specific unpleasant odor;
- Thelephora penicillata is an inedible species, distinguished by smaller spores and variable color;
- many types of ramaria are considered conditionally edible or inedible mushrooms; they differ in color, more rounded branches of the fruiting body and lack of odor.
Conclusion
Telephora palmata is an interesting species. Unlike many other mushrooms, it can have a wide variety of fruiting body shapes. Similar to corals, but emitting an unpleasant pungent odor, these mushrooms simply cannot be confused with others.
