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The mushroom Volvariella mucocephala (fine, beautiful) is conditionally edible. It is the largest of the Volvariella genus and can be confused with the poisonous fly agaric. Therefore, it is useful for mushroom pickers to know what this representative looks like and where it grows. The official name is Volvariella gloiocephala.
What does Volvariella mucocephala look like?
Volvariella mucocephala at a young age has an ovoid cap enclosed in a volva. As it grows, it takes on the shape of a bell, and then becomes convex-spread with a tubercle in the center.In dry weather, the cap is smooth and silky, it has a diameter of 5 to 15 cm. During rain, the surface becomes sticky and slimy, which is why the fruit got its name. The color of the cap is uneven - it is darker in the middle, and has a light grayish tint at the edges.
The thin and long stem gives the mushroom an elegant appearance. Its maximum length can reach 20-22 cm, and its thickness is 2.5 cm. The leg has the shape of a cylinder, slightly thickened at the bottom. Its surface is smooth in adult mushrooms, and slightly felted in young ones; it is painted white or yellowish-gray.
Wide and frequent plates do not fuse with the stem. In young specimens they are painted white, while in mature specimens they begin to turn pink and then acquire a brownish-pinkish tint. The spores of Volvariella mucocephala are light pink in color. There is no ring on the stem, the flesh at the break is white and loose, not changing color. Taste and smell are weak.
Where does Volvariella mucocephala grow?
Grows singly or in small groups on humus-rich soils. It can also be found in vegetable gardens, near manure and compost heaps or haystacks. The fruiting season begins in July and ends in September.
These mushrooms are also grown under artificial conditions. Volvariella mucocephalans are heat-loving, so in temperate climates they grow better in greenhouses or heated rooms. Prefabricated compost or fermented straw is used as a nutrient substrate for them. The substrate temperature should be no higher than +35 °C, the air temperature should not be lower than +20 °C, and the room humidity should be no less than 85%. Under favorable conditions, the mycelium produces its first fruits within two weeks.
Is it possible to eat Volvariella mucocephala?
Volvariella mucocephala is considered a conditionally edible mushroom; it can be eaten after boiling for 15 minutes. It does not have a rich mushroom aroma, so it does not have high culinary value. However, it has a number of useful qualities and a soft, fresh taste, thanks to which it has won the love of many gourmets.
Fresh fruits contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain health. Their low calorie content makes them an excellent dietary dish, useful for anyone who wants to lose weight. Volvariella mucocephala is used in alternative medicine for the prevention of cancer and rapid recovery after chemotherapy.
False doubles
The white fly agaric is similar to Volvariella mucocephala. The first can be distinguished by the absence of a ring on the stalk and the pink hymenophore. Fly agaric has a pronounced unpleasant smell of bleach and white plates.
Volvariella mucocephala is also similar to another conditionally edible mushroom called gray floater. Unlike the latter, Volvariella mucocephala has a smooth stalk, an adhesive cap surface and pink plates. All floats are edible, but mushroom pickers rarely collect them for fear of confusing them with the poisonous fly agaric.
Rules for collection and use
Volvariella mucocephala is collected from July to September in places where it grows - on fertile soils, near compost heaps. In order not to disturb the mycelium, the fruits are twisted out of the soil by hand rather than cut with a knife.
After collection, storing Volvariella mucocephala, like other lamellar mushrooms, is not recommended. It must be washed several times, cleared of soil and debris, and boiled for 15 minutes. from the moment of boiling. The boiled product can be hot salted, marinated or fried with potatoes, sour cream, chicken, etc.
Conclusion
Volvariella mucocephala grows on stubble, under garden fences, and near compost heaps. You don't have to walk through the forest for a long time to get it. The mushroom does not contain toxic substances and is edible after boiling, but it is easily confused with the white fly agaric. Therefore, when collecting, you need to be vigilant and take a good look at the find before putting it in your basket.
