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A mushroom listed in the Red Book, which cannot be found in Our Country – Tien Shan albatrellus. Its other name is Tien Shan Scutiger, Latin – Scutigertians chanicus or Albatrellus henanensis. It is an annual plant that does not grow in large groups and is rarely found in the plains.
Where does Tien Shan albatrellus grow?
The fungus is found in the Tien Shan mountains, in the region of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. You can find it even on the highest peaks (2200 m), near their foot. Less commonly, this basidiomycete is found in the Great Alma-Ata Gorge. On the territory of Our Country, the species is not common.
Tien Shan Albatrellus bears fruit from July to August. The mushroom picker grows only in forest soil, near coniferous plants. The fruit body is hidden in tall grass, where it is almost invisible.
What does Tien Shan albatrellus look like?
The cap of a young specimen is oblong, prostrate, depressed in the center. Its dimensions do not exceed 10 cm in diameter. The edges are thin, uneven, wavy. The surface is dry, wrinkled, spotted, covered with dark scales. Color dirty beige or yellow. In dry weather, the basidiomycete becomes brittle and brittle.
The leg is short, irregular in shape, up to 4 cm in length and not more than 1 cm in diameter.
It is convex at the base, located in the center of the cap. The surface of the stem is smooth, becoming wrinkled when dried.
Over time, the cap with the stem practically grow together, forming a single fruiting body with many partitions.
In overripe Tien Shan albatrellus, the partitions dissolve, forming a single, loose fruiting body.
The pulp of the fungus is off-white with a yellowish tint, the color does not change when dried. In older representatives of the species, it is brittle, loose.
The tubules are short, thin, almost indistinguishable. The hymenophore is brown, with an ocher hue.
The pores are angular, rhombic. There are 1 or 2 of them per 3 mm of pulp.
Hyphae tissues are loose with thin partitions. As they mature, they completely disappear. On the bluish tissues of the hyphae, a brown resinous substance can be seen.
Is it possible to eat Tien Shan albatrellus
Mushrooms belong to the group of conditionally edible gifts of the forest. The fruit body can be eaten, but only at a young age. Old mushrooms become tough and inedible.
The taste of the mushroom
The fruit body of the mountain basidiomycete is not distinguished by high taste qualities. Has no pronounced odor. It grows singly, it is not possible to collect a full-fledged crop.
False doubles
The described specimen does not have poisonous twins. There are similar related species.
- Albatrellus sinepore is distinguished by a bluish cap color in young, unripe mushrooms. It also differs in its place of growth: it is found in North America and the Far East.
The species is edible, but little studied
- Merging Albatrellus has a pinker and smoother cap. It grows in large groups that coalesce into a single fruiting body.
This representative of the species is edible, but has a specific bitter taste.
Collection and consumption
Tien Shan albatrellus begins to be harvested in the middle of summer. With the onset of autumn, the mycelium ceases to bear fruit. Young, small specimens are placed in the basket. Old fruiting bodies are not recommended to be taken – they are dry and hard. It is problematic to collect a basket of these mushrooms, as they grow in a single copy and hide well in tall grass.
After harvesting, the fruiting body is washed in running water and cooked to taste. It can be boiled or fried. Dried for the winter. At the same time, the shape, consistency and color of the basidiomycete will not change.
Conclusion
Albatellustian-Shan belongs to rare, endangered species. It is found only in the mountainous regions of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In these countries, it is listed in the Red Book. Finding it is considered a great success for lovers of quiet hunting. The described mushroom does not possess high taste qualities and nutritional value.