Content
Veselka Hadriani (Phallus hadriani) is a typical representative of the Veselka genus. The mushroom is named after the Dutch scientist and physician Adrian Junius, who first used the name phallus in relation to the fungus-like mushroom, presumably this particular species.
Where Hadrian's merry grows
The Veselka Hadriana (Adriana) is found on all continents, excluding the polar regions and South America. In European countries it grows in:
- Denmark;
- Holland;
- Norway;
- Sweden;
- Latvia;
- Poland;
- Ukraine;
- Slovakia;
- Ireland.
In Asia, common in China, Japan, and Turkey. It is believed that it was brought to Australia from Eurasia. In Russia, Veselka Hadriana grows mainly in the south.
The mushroom adapts well to unfavorable conditions and can even grow on sand dunes, which is why it received its second name – dune fungus. In different countries the species is known under the following names:
- Dune Stinkhorn (UK);
- Sromotnik fiołkowy (Poland);
- Homoki szömörcsög (Hungary);
- Hadovka Hadriánova (Slovakia);
- Duinstinkzwam (Netherlands).
Merry Hadriana loves to grow in gardens and parks, meadows, and deciduous forests. Prefers sandy soil. Fruiting bodies appear singly or in small groups. The fruiting period begins in May and ends in October.
What does Hadrian's merry look like?
At the very beginning of development, the fruiting body of Hadrian's merry is an oblong or spherical egg with a diameter of 4-6 cm, completely or half buried in the ground. The shell of the egg is colored first whitish and then pink or purple. The color intensity increases under unfavorable environmental conditions, for example, in dry and hot weather or during sudden changes in humidity and temperature. If you touch a young mushroom with your hands, darker imprints will remain on the shell. There are folds in the lower part of the egg, and there are also pinkish strands of mycelium that attach the mushroom to the soil. Inside the shell is a jelly-like mucus that emits a damp smell.
Hadrian's merry remains in its egg-shaped form for quite a long time, but then noticeable changes occur to it. The peridium (egg shell) bursts into 2-3 parts, and a white porous stalk with a wrinkled dark cap at the end begins to quickly grow from it.The mucus at this moment becomes more liquid and, flowing out, helps release the fruiting body, which was in a compressed state.
The grown mushroom has a cylindrical receptacle with a thickening at the bottom. At the base are the remains of an egg in the form of a pink gelatinous volva. The leg is hollow inside, its surface is spongy, white, yellowish or cream. Height - 12-20 cm, diameter - 3-4 cm. At the tip of the receptacle there is a bell-shaped cap 2-5 cm high. The surface of the cap has a pronounced cellular structure, the top is covered with mucus. The mushroom gleba is olive-colored; as it ripens, it becomes more liquid and acquires a persistent nutty-yeast aroma. There is a whitish hole in the center of the cap.
The smell emitted by the fungus attracts flies, beetles, ants, bees and slugs. Some insects feed on spore-containing mucus, facilitating the spread of spores. Passing through the digestive tract, they are not damaged and are excreted along with solid waste during defecation. Thus, they spread over considerable distances.
Is it possible to eat Hadrian's Veselka?
At the egg stage, the species is edible. Some sources contain information about the edibility of Hadrian's merry even in adulthood. Before eating, you just need to wash off the unsightly olive mucus so that the dish does not turn a swamp color. Refers to conditionally edible.
Taste qualities of mushroom
The pulp of the young mushroom is white and dense. It does not have a pleasant taste, although in some European countries and China Hadrian's Veselka is considered a delicacy.
Benefits and harm to the body
No official research has been conducted on the medicinal properties of Hadrian's fungus, since the mushroom is quite rare. In terms of its effect on the human body, it is similar to the common grass (Phallus impudicus), which is used for:
- gout;
- kidney diseases;
- rheumatism;
- abdominal pain.
Alcohol and water tinctures of fresh and dried fruit bodies are used as medicine. In ancient times, the mushroom was used to enhance libido. In folk medicine, for the purpose of prevention and as an adjuvant, mushrooms of the genus Phallus are used:
- to reduce cholesterol levels;
- to stabilize pressure;
- for diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- during the rehabilitation period after strokes and heart attacks;
- for gastrointestinal diseases;
- for oncological diseases;
- to improve immunity;
- to normalize hormonal levels;
- as a healing agent for skin diseases;
- for mental and nervous disorders.
The use of Veselka is contraindicated in case of individual intolerance, during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in childhood.
False doubles
Hadrian's oar is very similar to its closest relative, the common oar (Phallus impudicus). The double is a conditionally edible species with good taste; it is eaten in its embryonic egg-shaped form and immediately after germination. The common veselka differs from Hadrian in the white or cream color of the egg shell and the putrid odor emanating from the mature fruiting bodies.
The inedible Mutinus canis is similar to the species described in the article. It can be identified by its yellowish stem and brick-red tip, which quickly becomes covered with a marsh-brown spore-bearing mucus. Ripe dog mutinus emit an unpleasant carrion odor to attract insects.
Collection rules
Like other mushrooms, Hadrian's fungi should be collected away from industrial enterprises, landfills, highways and other objects that negatively affect the environment. Young, unopened specimens are suitable for collection. The mushroom picker must be completely sure of the species of the mushrooms found.
Use
The pulp of young vesels can be eaten fried, however, for cooking you will need a large number of fruiting bodies, since the edible part is extremely small. Some mushroom lovers collect mature Hadrian's fungi, but immediately get rid of the caps.
Conclusion
Hadrian's Veselka is an interesting and unusually shaped mushroom, which with its appearance can make some impressionable people blush; it is not without reason that many nations call it a scumbag. The mushroom is quite rare, and if you find it in the forest, it is better to limit yourself to a short admiration and a photo as a souvenir.
