Mice fungi growing in the Crimea are inferior in popularity to the well-known and widespread forest mushrooms. However, they are highly appreciated among experienced mushroom pickers due to their unique taste.
In different places they are called differently: rowing, ear-wax, dungweed, sublingual. At the moment, there are about two thousand representatives of this species. In fungi of mice growing in the Crimea, the color may vary. They are white, gray, purple with darker or lighter shades.
Content
Characteristic features of the mouse
Ryadovka is a plate mushroom that is part of the family of the same name. Representatives of this group most often live on a sandy soil layer inside coniferous or mixed forests at the base of stumps. In addition, they can be found in artificial plantings, gardens and parks. The period of their bearing occurs in August - October. Early mushrooms are more luminous hats.
Appearance and photo
Adult mice are characterized by a dark gray hat with a diameter of 10-12 cm with a small tubercle in the center, a fibrous light leg with a yellowish tint, 2 cm thick and 8 cm high. Long dark stripes extend from the center to the periphery of the cap. Its edges are slightly wavy, with cracks. Under the hat are wide, thick plates that flat out at the edges.
In the photo you can see the distinctive features of the variety.
You may be interested in:The smooth, dry surface of the hat becomes sticky in rainy weather. Over time, it darkens, and signs of trash appear. The edible variety of gray rowing has a pleasant earthy smell.
Structure and species differences
The structure of the cap has two layers: the upper one, covered with an outer crust, as well as the lower one, which is formed with the help of numerous rare wide plates. As they age, they change their color from white to gray with yellow spots. They accumulate white spore powder. Spores themselves are colorless, ovoid. The flesh at the break acquires a yellow tint.
Places of distribution: Crimea, Mariupol, Novorossiysk and others
Until recently, it was believed that mice grow exclusively in the south. Most often they were found in the Crimea, Mariupol, Novorossiysk in coniferous, mixed forests and plantings among conifers or leaves. This species grows in rows or groups near the pines, forming mycorrhiza with them. Fruits from the end of summer to the beginning of the first frost. Today it is known that this fungus lives throughout the temperate climatic zone. This species is found even in Western Siberia.
Eating
It is possible to distinguish both edible and inedible and poisonous mice. Rowing gray is characterized by excellent taste. It can be dried, salted, pickled, and also subjected to heat treatment (boil or fry). Both young and mature mushrooms that are not bitter are suitable for eating.
Are there any differences between Crimean mice and other gray rows?
The best living conditions for mice are the humid warm climate of Crimea and Novorossiysk. These mushrooms settle on the soil rich in moss and decayed fallen leaves.
Rules and gathering places
Mice perfectly tolerate low temperatures. They can be found even under the snow. Crimean mushroom pickers recommend looking for them in the vicinity of Sevastopol, the village of Kolchugino, among the mountain forests of Ai-Petri and Demerdzhi. The Bakhchisaray district is famous for its abundance of mushroom species.
In order not to damage the mycelium, the mushrooms are carefully cut with a sharp knife. It is better to collect them in a wicker basket, as they deteriorate faster in plastic bags. Rotten, wormy and suspicious ranks should not be taken so as not to poison.
You may be interested in:Types of mice in Crimea and their description
Ridovac is the name for a whole family of mushrooms, most of which are suitable for human consumption. The following types can be distinguished:
- earthy;
- gray
- giant
- May;
- shod;
- crowded.
The earthen rowing is characterized by a smooth cone-shaped hat of light brown color with a central tubercle, which is located on a light curved leg. Fruits only in August among pine forests.
The gray row has a round-shaped hat of a dark gray color with a violet hue, which, as it grows, becomes flatter with a small tubercle in the center. In mature mushrooms, its surface becomes smoother, cracks appear. The flesh on the break turns yellow. This species grows inside pine forests. It can be seen from early September until the frost.
Giant rowing is characterized by large sizes. The spherical hat is light brown in color, which acquires a flat shape as it grows, reaches 20 cm in diameter. The elastic fruit leg of light shades with a yellow bottom has a pronounced mushroom aroma. Fruits from August to September in mixed and pine forests.
The May look has a reddish straight leg, a convex hat in an adult mushroom. The fleshy light fruit pulp is characterized by a pronounced flour smell and taste. The fruiting period covers the period from April to June.
Shod rowing (Matsutake) is distinguished by a wide silky hat of a brownish color. Mature mushrooms are characterized by cracks through which the flesh of a light color is visible, which has a pronounced mushroom taste and a spicy aroma. This species grows in pine, mixed forests in the first two months of autumn.
Crowded differs in that it grows in the form of fused fruit bodies of a grayish color with rounded caps with concave edges. Brown elastic flesh with a powdery smell characterized by excellent mushroom taste. They grow in early autumn in mixed forests, parks, near roads.
The difference between mice and false, inedible mushrooms
Among the many types of rows there are representatives of dangerous poisonous mushrooms. An inexperienced mushroom picker can easily confuse them with edible mice, so it is important to be careful and alert, focusing on external signs.
The most similar specimen is Ryadovka pointed, which is distinguished by a sharp pronounced tubercle in the center of the cap.
The earthy-gray rowing is distinguished by a peculiar veil among young individuals, which is destroyed over time.
Ryadovka Gulden prefers to grow on loam among fir trees, so when visiting spruce trees, you need to pay maximum attention so as not to confuse it with edible mushrooms.
The main external sign that all mushroom pickers should be guided by when identifying bad fruiting bodies is a fetid smell, a bitter taste, and white coloring of the hats of an even shape. Some of the poisonous representatives have characteristic spots. In edible mushrooms, fruiting bodies differ in dark or light colors, and under the hat they have plates of saturated yellow color, as well as mushroom flesh.
You may be interested in:Useful properties of the mouse and restrictions on use
These mushrooms are a storehouse of vitamins, protein, minerals, unique amino acids and other beneficial substances. In addition, the mice are distinguished by pronounced antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Due to its composition, they help strengthen immunity, improve heart function, normalize blood pressure, and prevent the development of tuberculosis and cancerous tumors. They have a positive effect on digestion, strengthen blood vessels, cleanse the liver, activate the brain, and normalize blood sugar.
Recipes and cooking features
Young mice are characterized by more pronounced taste qualities. They can be boiled, fried, salted, pickled, and also used to make minced meat, sauces and salads.
Before cooking, it is recommended to clean the caps from the outer film, thoroughly rinse the mushrooms several times. Cook in lightly salted water for 20 minutes. Fried mice go well with meat, vegetables, eggs and various side dishes. Delicious caviar is prepared from some rows.
Marinating them is quite simple, following this recipe:
- First boil, removing the foam.
- Arrange the mushrooms inside the cans, adding bay leaf, cloves, allspice.
- Prepare the marinade from water (0.5 l), sugar (1 tsp), salt (2 tbsp) and vinegar (5 tbsp).
- Pour boiling marinade over the mushroom stew, close the lid.
Answers to widespread questions
Despite the inconspicuous appearance, the mice gained great popularity among fans of the “quiet hunt” because of the good taste and ease of preparation. In addition, their use brings only benefits to the human body.
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