Alder pig (Aspen pig) (Paxillus rubicundulus) photo and description

Alder pig (Paxillus rubicundulus)

Alder pig, also called aspen pig – a rather rare species, outwardly similar to a thin pig. It got its name because of the preference to grow under alder or aspen. At present, the alder pig along with the thin pig are classified as poisonous mushrooms. However, some sources still tend to attribute it to conditionally edible mushrooms.

Description.

head: Diameter 5-10 cm, according to some sources up to 15 cm. In young mushrooms, it is convex with a bent edge, gradually flattens as it grows, becoming prostrate or even with a depression in the center, funnel-shaped, with a straight line (according to some sources – wavy or corrugated) edge, sometimes pubescent. The color of the cap varies in brown tones: reddish brown, yellowish brown or ocher brown. The surface of the cap is dry, may be felt, velvety, coarse velvety; or may be smooth with ingrown or lagging dark (sometimes olive) well-defined scales.

plates: Decurrent, narrow, of medium frequency, with bridges at the base, somewhat irregular in shape, often forked, in young mushrooms yellowish, ocher, slightly lighter caps, slightly darker with age. Easily separated from the cap, with the slightest damage (pressure) darken.

Leg: 2-5 cm (occasionally up to 7), 1-1,5 cm in diameter, central, more often slightly eccentric, somewhat narrowed towards the base, cylindrical, with a felt surface or smooth, ocher-brown, the same color as cap or slightly lighter, darkens slightly when pressed. Not hollow.

Pulp: Soft, dense, loose with age, yellowish, gradually darkens on the cut.

Smell: Pleasant, mushroomy.

spore powder: brown-red.

The alder pig is similar to the thin pig, although it is quite difficult to confuse them, it is worth remembering that, unlike the thin pig, the alder pig has a scaly-cracking hat and a more yellowish-red tint. They also differ greatly in where they grow.