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Cerrena unicolor is known by the Latin name Cerrena unicolor. A mushroom from the family Polyporaceae, genus Cerrena.
The species forms dense numerous groups of fruiting bodies
What does a single-colored cerrena look like?
A fungus with an annual biological cycle; less often, the fruiting bodies are preserved until the beginning of the next growing season. Old specimens are woody and fragile. The main color is gray, not monochromatic, with faint concentric zones of brown or brown tint. Along the edge, the seal in the form of a roller is painted beige or whitish.
External characteristics of single-color cerrene:
- The shape of the fruiting bodies is semicircular, fan-shaped, spread out with wavy edges, narrowed at the base.
- The cap is thin, up to 8-10 cm in diameter, sessile, imbricated. Mushrooms growing densely at one level, fused together at the sides.
- The surface is lumpy, densely covered with fine pile; areas closer to the base are often under moss.
- The hymenophore is tubular, slightly porous at the beginning of the growing season, then partially collapses and becomes dissected and jagged with an inclination towards the base. Large oval cells are arranged in the form of a labyrinth.
- The color of the spore-bearing layer is cream with a gray or brown tint.
- The pulp is hard, cork-like, consists of two layers, the upper leathery one is separated from the lower one by a thin black stripe. Color beige or light yellow.
Radial stripes concentrated in the upper part of the fruiting body
Where and how does it grow
Cerrena unicolor is widespread in the European part, the North Caucasus, Siberia, and the Urals. The species is not tied to a specific climate zone. The fungus is a saprophyte, parasitizing on the remains of deciduous trees. Prefers open areas, forest clearings, roadsides, and ravines. Fruiting - from June to late autumn.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Cerrene unicolor has no nutritional value due to its hard pulp and pungent odor. In mycological reference books it is classified as a group of inedible mushrooms.
Doubles and their differences
To a greater or lesser extent, Cerrena unicolor is similar to the Coriolis varieties. Trametes covered is more similar in appearance, especially at the beginning of development. The double is inedible with thick-walled pores and a pale ash color. The mushroom is odorless and has no black stripe between the layers.
The stripes are dark gray, occasionally with a yellowish tint, the edges are sharp and light brown
Conclusion
Cerrena unicolor - tubular appearance with a pungent spicy odor. The representative is annual, grows on rotting remains of deciduous wood. The growing season is from early summer to late autumn; it has no nutritional value.
