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Alder pig (from the Latin Paxillus rubicundulus) has become the cause of controversy over edibility. In wartime, pigs were saved from hunger, some people make preparations from them, boil and fry, considering them safe. Scientists urge to abandon the collection of these mushrooms due to high toxicity.
Where does the alder pig grow
Alder belongs to the Svinushkov family (Paxillaceae), genus Svinushka (Paxillus).
Has several names:
- aspen;
- dunka;
- cowshed;
- pork belly;
- straw;
- pigger;
- pork ear;
- havroshka;
- fetyuha;
Some common names arose from the similarity of the fungus with a pig’s nickel or ear. The origin of the others is not known.
More often you can hear the “aspen” or “alder” pig, because it grows mainly in deciduous or on the edges of coniferous forests under aspens or alder, sometimes found on old anthills and tree roots. The fungus is common in temperate regions. Fruiting from July to September. Prefers moist soil. Grows in groups but rarely seen.
What does an alder pig look like
Young alder specimens are distinguished by a convex hat with edges turned up to the stem. The hat can reach 15 cm in diameter. In adult mushrooms, it becomes disproportionate in shape, flatter (sometimes in the form of a small funnel), compacted, with a depression in the middle, covered with cracks. The color of the cap is light gray or light brown with a reddish or yellow tint. The surface is velvety and dry, with dark scales, sticky after long rains.
The plates on the reverse side of the cap of the alder dunka are uneven, descending, narrow, have jumpers at the base, a lighter color than the cap. The plates are easily separated and darken with slight pressure.
The mushroom grows up to 7 cm in height, the diameter of the leg is up to 1,5 cm. The color of the leg is lighter than the cap or the same, it can be narrowed to the base or cylindrical, full inside, the surface is smooth or fleecy, darkens when pressed.
The pulp is dense, white or yellowish, soft, yellow and friable with age, it does not darken immediately when cut.
Is it possible to eat alder pig
Alder species has a pleasant mushroom smell and taste. But, despite this, it is necessary to carefully study the photo and description of the alder pig in order to never put this mushroom in your basket.
Previously, the aspen pig was classified as a conditionally edible mushroom, but officially the species was classified as a dangerous and poisonous mushroom in 1984.
According to the results of many years of research, it turned out that the pig contains a persistent poison – muscarine, which does not disappear even after many hours of cooking. This poison is twice as active as that present in the red fly agaric. After eating pigs, intoxication can quickly develop.
Scientists have found that alder is also dangerous because the pulp contains a lot of antigen protein that can stick together red blood cells. This can lead to blood clotting, separation of blood clots in the vessels or heart muscle, which often ends in death. But this does not occur immediately after eating pigs, so death is not always associated with poisoning.
Proteins can accumulate in the tissues of the human body for a long time and will make themselves felt when there are too many of them: at first, anemia will appear, various thromboses will begin to develop, a heart attack or stroke will suddenly occur, which no one will correlate with mushrooms.
Also, aspen pigs are able to accumulate heavy metals in themselves, and since the ecological situation in the world is deteriorating significantly, there are more poisons in these mushrooms.
Mushroom pickers often emphasize that pigs are often wormy, which means they are not life-threatening. It is a mistake to believe that worms do not touch poisonous mushrooms, but the same fly agaric has become the food of many insects and their larvae.
Similar species
There are 35 species in the genus of pigs, some are very similar to each other. For example, with a thin pig they are difficult to visually distinguish. The alder has a cap with scales and is more orange, while the thin one is olive-brown. Thin ones grow in large groups in a young birch forest or near oaks. They are poisonous.
The fat pig has a very short and wide leg, a mushroom grows in coniferous forests. It is edible, but of poor quality.
The ear-shaped pig lives in coniferous forests, it is distinguished from the alder by a small, almost absent, leg that merges with the hat. It is considered a poisonous mushroom, which is also not eaten due to the large amount of toxins that disrupt blood formation.
Application
In China, alder pig is used as a muscle relaxant.
Despite the toxicity proven by scientists, the mushroom continues to be eaten and harvested for the winter, which is categorically not recommended by scientists and doctors.
Alder pig poisoning
Alder pig, eaten, can cause poisoning, accompanied by mild or severe symptoms:
- vomiting;
- increased salivation and sweating;
- nausea;
- lowering blood pressure;
- diarrhea;
- abdominal pain;
- weakness;
- dizziness.
The antigens of the fungus, accumulating in the body, cause anemia, kidney and liver failure, which can result in a sharp and unexplained death after decades.
Conclusion
Alder pig is an insidious mushroom. Scientists advise to beware and not to try the pig, no matter how others praise it. And if this has already happened, at the first sign of poisoning, you need to call an ambulance and, waiting for the arrival of doctors, wash the stomach, cleanse the intestines with saline. A large portion of pigs can cause swelling of the brain or lungs. If you do not call for help in time, there is a high probability of death.
