Content
The branched tinder fungus, or griffola umbellata, is a conditionally edible representative of the Polyporaceae family. The mushroom is unusual, bushy, common in the European part of Russia, Siberia and the Urals. In cooking they are used in fried, boiled and canned form.
Where does the branched tinder fungus grow?
This representative of the mushroom kingdom is rare due to deforestation, so the species is listed in the Red Book. Since it is a saprotroph, it can be seen on woody substrates, roots of deciduous trees, dead wood and stumps. Fruits from July to the end of October.To recognize the umbrella grifola, you need to view photos, videos and read the description.
An interesting specimen growing in the form of a beautiful bush
What does griffola mushroom look like?
The branched polypore has an unusual appearance for a fungus. Up to 200 fruiting bodies grow together, forming a beautiful branched bush. The cap is small, has a wavy surface with a shallow depression in the center. The scaly skin is colored light coffee or gray.
The pulp is dense, fleshy, with a pleasant mushroom aroma and taste. The legs, painted to match the cap, grow together, forming a strong mushroom trunk that extends into the woody substrate. Reproduction occurs by tubular, angular, whitish spores, which are located in a yellow-white spore powder.
Mushrooms grow in a woody substrate, in a well-lit place
Is it possible to eat branched grifola?
The branched tinder fungus belongs to the 4th group of edibility, to the group of conditionally edible forest gifts. After heat treatment, it can be fried, stewed, salted and pickled, and also used for making soups and filling for pies. It is recommended to eat young specimens, as the old ones have hard and bitter flesh.
The branched tinder fungus is nutritious and low in calories, so it is recommended for people who are on a diet. But since mushroom dishes are considered heavy food, they should not be consumed 2-3 hours before bedtime. They are also prohibited for children and people with gastrointestinal diseases.
Cooking Grifola Umbrella
The fruit body contains a large amount of useful substances, so when consumed it has a beneficial effect on the body.With regular use of branched tinder fungus, you can get rid of the following diseases:
- The species has an antibacterial effect, improves immunity and fights hidden infections.
- Due to acids and glycosides, waste and toxins are removed from the body, and the level of bad cholesterol in the blood is reduced.
- Thanks to antioxidants, mushroom broth stops the growth of cancer cells.
The branched tinder fungus is often used in cooking due to its sweetish taste and pleasant mushroom taste. Before cooking, the mushroom harvest is thoroughly washed and cleaned. Next, boil it in salted water for about 15-20 minutes and begin preparing various dishes. From it you can prepare:
- roast;
- soups;
- pie filling;
- preservation for the winter;
- mushroom caviar;
- sauces.
Also, harvest from the forest can be stored for the winter. To do this, it is dried and stored in paper bags for no more than 1 year.
False doubles of the fungus tinder fungus
Grifola umbellata grifolaumbellata, like any forest dweller, has similar brothers. But since this species has no inedible counterparts, you can safely go mushroom hunting. Similar external descriptions include:
- Leafy – edible, rare representative. Grows in deciduous forests, on rotting wood substrate. Due to a decline in the population, the species is listed in the Red Book, so when you discover a find, it is better to pass by and let the species reproduce. You can recognize it by its large bush, which contains fused mushrooms with a dense leaf-shaped cap and a thin, fleshy stem. The yellow-whitish pulp has a sharp nutty taste and smell.
A tasty species listed in the Red Book
- Mushroom cabbage – this representative of the forest kingdom is an edible Red Book. It grows on dead coniferous wood and begins to bear fruit from July to October. Externally, the forest dweller looks like a ball formed from numerous fused curly lobed specimens of snow-white or light brown color. The pulp is dense, fleshy and colored light coffee. The color does not change with mechanical damage. In cooking, mushrooms are used to prepare fried and boiled dishes; they can also be frozen or dried for the winter.
Used in cooking, fried and boiled.
Collection rules
Experienced mushroom pickers compare the collection of branched tinder fungus to cutting flowers. The found specimen is cut with a sharp knife at an acute angle, trying not to damage the blade and mycelium. The mushroom harvest is placed in baskets with the caps down so that they do not touch each other.
If you don’t have time to go to the forest to pick mushrooms, you can grow branched tinder fungi at home. There are two growing methods:
- In a room with natural light, high air humidity and a temperature not exceeding + 20 °C. Corn cobs, branches, sawdust or shavings are used as a nutrient substrate. The prepared nutrient medium is poured with boiling water and after cooling, the mycelium is added at the rate of 100 g per 35 kg. The mixture is placed in plastic bags with slots made. After a month, shoots appear. For rapid growth and development, the substrate must always be kept moist.
- Branched tinder fungus can also be grown in natural conditions. In this case, the first harvest will appear no earlier than 4 months after planting.Rotten stumps or logs soaked for 4 days in warm water are suitable as a substrate. In the planting area, cuts are made and the mycelium is placed. The bars are placed in a cool, shaded place. In favorable conditions, fruiting occurs 5 times a season.
Conclusion
The branched polypore is a rare, tasty and beautiful representative of the mushroom kingdom. It grows as a bush on a woody substrate in deciduous forests. It bears fruit throughout the warm season and is used in cooking in fried, stewed and canned form. Since the branched polypore has no false counterparts, it cannot be confused with inedible representatives.
