Beam stitch (Gyromitra fastigiata) photo and description

Beam stitch (Gyromitra fastigiata)

• The stitch is sharp
• The line is pointed

:

• The line is pointed
• Discina hastily
• Peaked disc
• Helvella fastigiata (obsolete)

The pointed line is one of the most noticeable spring mushrooms, and if the question of its edibility remains quite controversial, then no one will argue with the fact that this mushroom is unusually beautiful.

Description:

The hat line of the beam is very remarkable. The height of the cap is 4-10 cm, 12-15 cm wide, according to some sources it can be much more. The cap itself consists of several upwardly curved plates, which usually form three lobes (maybe two or four). The surface is ribbed, coarsely wavy. If the cap of the line of the giant in shape resembles the core of a walnut or the brain, then the cap of the line of the pointed one in general outlines is more like a surreal sculpture, where dimensions are mixed. The blades of the cap are unevenly folded, the upper sharp corners look into the sky, the lower parts of the blades hug the leg.

The cap is hollow inside, the color of the cap on the outside can be either yellow, yellow-brown, or reddish-brown, ocher in young mushrooms. Brownish, dark brown in adults. Inside (inner surface) the cap is white.

The leg is white, snow-white, cylindrical, thickened towards the base, with ribbed longitudinal protrusions. The longitudinal section clearly shows that there are remains of soil in the folds of the stem, this is one of the distinguishing features of the beam line.

Pulp: in the cap is rather fragile, thin. In the leg, the line of the giant is more elastic, but significantly inferior in density to the pulp. Watery. The color of the pulp is white, whitish or pinkish.

Taste and smell: mild mushroom, pleasant.

Distribution: in broad-leaved forests and glades, April-May, according to some sources – from March. Prefers to grow on carbonate soils and beech forests, occurs singly or in small groups, especially near rotting stumps. In Europe, the species occurs almost everywhere; it does not grow in the taiga zone (no reliable data).

Edibility: different sources give diametrically opposed information, from “toxic” to “edible”, so the decision whether to eat this line is up to everyone. I consider it necessary to remind you that for such “doubtful” mushrooms, preliminary boiling is highly desirable.

Similar species:

The giant line grows almost at the same time and under the same conditions.

Video about mushroom Stitch beam:

The American Gyromitra brunnea is considered to be the American variety of Gyromitra fastigiata, although the two are synonymous in some sources.