Gigrofor russula (Hygrophorus russula) photo and description

Useful properties of hygrophors

Almost all edible mushrooms of this type have many useful and medicinal properties. Their pulp is rich in vitamins, including A, PP, group B, amino acids and trace elements, ascorbic acid. Of the minerals, hygrophors contain phosphorus and calcium, sulfur and potassium, manganese and sodium, iodine and zinc. In addition, the fruiting bodies of these mushrooms belong to the category of low-calorie foods, therefore they are recommended for therapeutic diets: they reduce body weight and remove toxins from the body.

A tincture is made from hygrophors in China, which is taken to relieve stress, get rid of insomnia. The enzymes of these fungi accelerate the cure for colds, lung diseases and infectious diseases. They strengthen the walls of blood vessels, naturally increase immunity.

When properly prepared, hygrophors cannot be harmful to health. It should be borne in mind that they contain a huge amount of fiber, which the stomach takes a long time to digest, so too many mushrooms eaten can cause heartburn.

Growing a hygrophor at home

To grow a hygroform at home, you will need mycelium powder, which is sold in specialized stores. One such package is enough for 1 m2 of area. Before sowing, the seeds are mixed with dry soil or sand. The mycelium is planted under the trees. The soil is pre-loosened, making depressions from 5 to 15 cm.

The mycelium is planted at any time of the year and under any trees. The crop is harvested 4 times a year: twice in spring and autumn. In order for the yield to be high, every year the site is fertilized with humus when the mushrooms are not growing.

You can also grow the hygrophor indoors, like champignons.

Useful properties and contraindications

normalizes the work of the central nervous system;
improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
restores the lymphatic system thanks to biologically active components;
prevents obesity;
reduces the risk of complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus;
strengthens the body's immune defenses;
normalizes hepatic function;
improves the functioning of the organs of the genitourinary system;
increases the activity of the optic nerve.

Any drug not only has a positive effect on the body, but can provoke a negative reaction.

Important! The use of hygrophors is prohibited for people who have problems with metabolic processes, allergy sufferers, suffering from epileptic seizures. In some cases, medical staff recorded the development of hypervitaminosis in people after eating mushrooms .. The fruiting body is rich in protein, therefore, kidney disorders are often observed

In addition, fungi accumulate toxic substances. Experts advise to refrain from preparing fruits collected near highways and factories. This can lead to serious poisoning of the body. It is forbidden to eat any mushroom dishes for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under 12 years old

The fruit body is rich in protein, therefore, violations in the functioning of the kidneys are often observed. In addition, fungi accumulate toxic substances. Experts advise to refrain from preparing fruits collected near highways, factories. This can lead to serious poisoning of the body. It is forbidden to eat any mushroom dishes for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under 12 years old.

Gigrofor russula: edibility, description and photo

Hygrophors are edible mushrooms with a wide variety of health benefits. So, this type of mushroom contains vitamins (B, A, C, D, PP), amino acids and various macro- and microelements (phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sulfur, sodium, manganese, zinc, iodine).In terms of protein content, the hygrophor is close to meat. Also, hygrophors are a low-calorie product that helps in losing weight and removes toxins from the body.

Gigrofor has a pleasant, delicate taste, its pulp is dense and fleshy, the mushroom does not boil much. Most often, hygrophors are used for pickles and pickles, fried with sour cream and onions, or added to julienne, soups and sauces. When preparing a hygrophor, it is imperative to cleanse its mucous skin, as it has an unpleasant taste and can ruin the dish. In China, a gourmet tincture is prepared on the basis of hygrophor and yak milk.

Due to the high percentage of fiber in the hygrophors, mushrooms are hard enough for the stomach, so excessive consumption of them causes discomfort or heartburn. These mushrooms are also not included in the diet of children under 14 for this reason.

Edibility of russula hygrophors

Gigrofor russula is an edible mushroom, but it does not have a special taste or smell.

Similarities with other species

The russula hygrophor is similar in appearance to the reddening hygrophor, but the latter is distinguished by a smaller cap, covered with mucus with purple scales, and a bitter taste of the pulp.

The reddening hygrophor is also called the reddish hygrophor. His hat is domed, and the leg is rather long. In fully ripe specimens, the caps open. The surface of the fruiting body is pink-white with yellow spots. They grow in coniferous and mixed forests, most often they coexist with pines and spruces. Fruiting in August and September.

Other mushrooms of this genus

• Golden Gigrofor is an edible mushroom that grows in deciduous and coniferous forests. They meet in groups. Prefer hilly and mountainous areas;
• Gigrofor olive-white - conditionally edible mushroom, growing from summer to autumn in deciduous forests. They are found in small groups in mountainous areas;
• Early Gigrofor - a rare edible mushroom. These mushrooms grow among conifers and deciduous trees, found mainly under beeches;
• Poetic Gigrofor is an edible mushroom that grows from summer to autumn in deciduous forests. These mushrooms are found in small groups. They are often found on the hills, under the beeches;
• Gigrofo beech - conditionally edible species. Etigribs settle mainly in beech forests. They bear fruit in the fall. They are found in hilly and mountainous areas;
• Gigrofor maiden is a conditionally edible mushroom growing in clearings and meadows. They can grow both on the plain and in the mountains. Meet in groups.

Description of the reddening hygrophor

This mushroom has a classic appearance - it has a rather long stem and a domed cap. In fully ripe specimens, the caps gradually open. The surface of the fruiting body is pinkish-white with small yellow spots.

Places of distribution of reddening hygrophors

Reddening hygrophors grow in coniferous or mixed forests. These mushrooms bear fruit in August-September. Hygrophors coexist with pines or spruces. Therefore, they are most often found under these trees.

Evaluation of the taste of reddening hygrophors

Reddish hygrophors are eaten by many. But they do not cause much culinary delight, since they do not have an expressive smell and special taste. These mushrooms are good as a complement to other types of mushrooms.

Relatives of the blushing hygrophors

The reddening hygrophor is outwardly most similar to the russula hygrophor. Gigrofor russula is practically the same, but has a larger size. Gigrofor russula is an edible mushroom. His hat is strong, fleshy, its shape is initially convex, and with age it becomes prostrate, sometimes a tubercle remains in the center. The skin of the cap is scaly. The leg is cylindrical, very strong. The pulp is white, in the air it turns red.

Russula hygrophors grow in deciduous forests. Find them under the oak trees. They settle in small groups. They grow in hilly and mountainous areas. Fruiting from summer to autumn.

The poetic hygrophor also looks like a reddening hygrophor, and this is also an edible mushroom. At first, the shape of the cap of the poetic hygrophor is spherical, and then it becomes prostrate. The skin is silky and shiny. The color of the cap can be light pink or whitish with a light yellow tint. The leg is dense and strong, white. The pulp of the poetic hygrophor has a jasmine aroma.

Poetic hygrophors grow in deciduous forests. They settle in groups, in mountainous terrain, under beeches. Fruiting from summer to autumn. These are delicious mushrooms that can be cooked in a variety of ways and preserved.

Gigrofor maiden is a conditionally edible mushroom. His hat is at first convex, and as it grows, it straightens out. There is often a tubercle on the surface of the cap. The leg is cylindrical, rather thin, but at the same time dense. The fruit body is white, sometimes a yellowish tint appears. If reddish spots appear on the girl's hygrophor, this means that mold has curled on the skin.

Maiden hygrophors grow in clearings, meadows, in mountainous and flat areas. They settle in numerous groups. Maiden's hygrophors bear fruit from summer to autumn. Although these are edible mushrooms, they have no special value.

External description of russula hygrophor

The cherry's hat is strong, fleshy. Its shape is initially convex, and as the mushroom matures, it becomes prostrate. In the center of the cap, bumps and thickenings may be visible. The surface of the cap is wavy. Its edges are bent inward. Sometimes the cap is covered with deep radial cracks. The skin of the cap is scaly. The color of the cap can vary from dark pink to purple, while the central part is darker.

The leg is very thick, strong, cylindrical in shape, sometimes there is a thickening at the bottom. The color of the leg is white, and its upper part is dotted with often spaced red spots.

The plates are sparse and not wide, with a large number of intermediate plates. At first, the color of the plates is white, but over time they acquire a purple hue. The pulp is dense, white, practically odorless and tasteless. Spores look like short ellipses, they are smooth, white.

Places of growing cherry trees

Cherry trees grow in deciduous forests. Most often, these mushrooms are found under oak trees. They are mostly found in small groups. Cherry forests prefer hilly and mountainous areas. They bear fruit in summer and autumn.

Definitioner

Basidia (Basidia)

Lat. Basidia. A specialized structure of sexual reproduction in fungi, inherent only in Basidiomycetes. Basidia are terminal (end) elements of hyphae of various shapes and sizes, on which spores develop exogenously (outside).

Basidia are diverse in structure and method of attachment to hyphae.

According to the position relative to the axis of the hypha, to which they are attached, three types of basidia are distinguished:

Apical basidia are formed from the terminal cell of the hypha and are located parallel to its axis.

Pleurobasidia are formed from lateral processes and are located perpendicular to the axis of the hypha, which continues to grow and can form new processes with basidia.

Subasidia are formed from a lateral process, turned perpendicular to the axis of the hypha, which, after the formation of one basidium, stops its growth.

Based on morphology:

Holobasidia - unicellular basidia, not divided by septa (see Fig. A, D.).

Phragmobasidia are divided by transverse or vertical septa, usually into four cells (see Fig. B, C).

By type of development:

Heterobasidia consists of two parts - hypobasidia and epibasidia developing from it, with or without partitions (see Fig. C, B) (see Fig. D).

Homobasidia is not divided into hypo- and epibasidia and in all cases is considered holobasidia (Fig. A).

Basidia is the place of karyogamy, meiosis and the formation of basidiospores. Homobasidia, as a rule, is not functionally divided, and meiosis follows karyogamy in it. However, basidia can be divided into probasidia - the site of karyogamy and metabasidia - the site of meiosis.Probasidium is often a dormant spore, for example in rust fungi. In such cases, probazidia grows with metabasidia, in which meiosis occurs and on which basidiospores are formed (see Fig. E).

See Karyogamy, Meiosis, Gifa.

Pileipellis

Lat. Pileipellis, skin - differentiated surface layer of the cap of agaricoid basidiomycetes. The structure of the skin in most cases differs from the inner flesh of the cap and may have a different structure. The structural features of pileipellis are often used as diagnostic features in descriptions of fungi species.

According to their structure, they are divided into four main types: cutis, trichoderma, hymeniderma and epithelium.

See Agaricoid mushrooms, Basidiomycete, Cutis, Trichoderma, Gimeniderm, Epithelium.

Pileipellis (Pileipellis)

According to their structure, they are divided into four main types: cutis, trichoderma, hymeniderma and epithelium.

See Agaricoid mushrooms, Basidiomycete, Cutis, Trichoderma, Gimeniderm, Epithelium.

Ixotrihoderma

Trichoderma, consisting of hyphae immersed in mucus. The surface of the cap is oily, slippery or slimy.

Lat. Ixotrichoderm.

See Trichoderma, Gifa.

Ixokutis

Cutis, consisting of hyphae immersed in mucus. The surface of the cap is oily, slippery or slimy.

Lat. Ixocutis.

See Cutis, Gifa.

Mushroom hygrophor: description

These discreet mushrooms have characteristic features that make them quite easy to distinguish from other species. These include:

mucous, convex, often with an elevation in the center, a cap painted in gray, olive, white, yellow and reddish tones;
dense, cylindrical, solid leg, painted in the same color as the cap;
rare, waxy, thickened, descending pinkish or yellow plates;
characteristic gray-white color of spore powder.

Gigrofor is a mushroom that is of interest to both beginners and experienced mushroom pickers. That is why below we will provide you with a brief description of the most common varieties.

Types of mushroom hygrophor

Fragrant, aromatic, or fragrant hygrophorus (Hygrophorus agathosmus)

An edible mushroom with a fleshy fruiting body. The hat is 4-8 cm in diameter, convex in shape, gradually becomes flat-convex, the edge is tucked up, the surface is sticky and slimy, especially at high humidity. The color of the cap is gray, yellowish brown or off-white, rarely with a green tint. The plates are rare, grow to the stem, white. The flesh is whitish or pale gray in color, soft, with a strong aroma, reminiscent of the smell of bitter almonds, celery or anise, insipid in taste. The length of the leg is 4-10 cm, the thickness is 0.6-1.5 cm. The leg is central, cylindrical, dry or wet, the surface is not mucous. The color of the leg is white, gradually turning gray. Spores are white.

Grows from August to September in coniferous and mixed forests. Widespread in temperate climates.

Hygrophorus yellowish white (Hygrophorus eburneus)

Edible mushroom, also known as ivory wax bonnet and cowboy handkerchief. Found in Europe, North America, North Africa.

The fruit body is white. In wet weather, the hat becomes covered with a thick layer of mucus. Feels like wax.

Early hygrophorus (Hygrophorus marzuolus)

A rare species, which is also found under the names of the hygrophor of March and snow mushroom. The diameter of the cap is 4-10 cm, the structure is thick, fleshy, the shape of the young mushroom is convex, flattens with age. The surface is curved, the edges are wavy. The skin is smooth, dry, slightly pubescent. In young mushrooms, the cap is light gray or whitish, in mature ones it is lead-gray or blackish with spots. The pulp is dense, white, turns gray with age. The aroma is weak, pleasant, the taste is not pronounced.The leg is 3-8 cm long, 1.5-4 cm wide, cylindrical, curved, solid, thinning downwards. The color is whitish or gray, with a silvery tint. Spores are white.

Unlike other hygrophors, the species is very early, appears in March and grows until the beginning of May. It is found in coniferous and deciduous forests, often under beeches.

An edible mushroom used in soups and garnishes for meat dishes. Since the March hygrophor appears very early, it cannot be confused with other mushrooms, including poisonous ones.

Hygrophorus olive-white (Hygrophorus olivaceoalbus)

The diameter of the cap is 2-6 cm, the shape is hemispherical in young mushrooms, in old ones it is convex or flat, covered with a layer of mucus. The color of the cap is gray-brown or olive-brown, darker in the center, becomes lighter as it matures. The pulp is strong, white, yellow in the center, the pulp is fibrous in the stem. Aroma and taste are poorly expressed. The stem is 4-8.5 cm long and 0.4-1.0 cm thick, central, cylindrical or fusiform, olive-brown color. Spores are white.

An edible mushroom that is eaten fresh.

It grows from August to November in coniferous and mixed forests next to spruce. Widely distributed in Eurasia.

Gigrofor russula or russula (Hygrophorus russula)

A fleshy edible mushroom that grows in the deciduous forests of the Northern Hemisphere.

The diameter of the cap is 5-12 cm, the shape is hemispherical, gradually becoming convex, flattened, the edge is turned up. The surface is smooth, in wet weather it becomes sticky-mucous, in young mushrooms it is whitish or pinkish in color, with pink spots, then it becomes pink-red and in a mature mushroom - wine-red. The pulp is dense, white, pinkish on the cut, the smell is weak, flour, the taste is not pronounced. The leg is 6-8 cm long, 1-2.5 cm thick, central, tapering downward, clavate or fusiform, white with pinkish-brown spots. Spores are white.

Edible mushroom, used fresh, pickled or salted. It is considered the best in taste of all species of the family.

It grows from August to November in deciduous and mixed forests, next to an oak tree.

Fragrant (aromatic)

An edible mushroom with a strong odor, which is the reason for its name. A fragrant hygrophoric hat of medium size (no more than ten centimeters in diameter). It is colored brownish or gray, and the edges, as a rule, are lighter than the center. The surface is smooth or slightly tacky. Young mushrooms have convex caps, but over time they become flat.

The strong almond smell, which gave the mushroom its name, can be felt in wet weather, being a meter away from the mushroom. This hygrophor can often be found in the Far East from late August to early October in pine-spruce forests on calcareous soils. Occasionally found next to fir. It tastes great when salted and pickled.