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The tufted string, also referred to as the pointed or pointed, is one of the most unusual spring mushrooms. It belongs to the family Discinaceae (Discinaceae), genus Gyromitra.
What does the stitch line look like?
The lines got their name for the unusual shape of the hat, reminiscent of strings of threads in a ball of yarn. This species was called sharp-topped because of the angular folded hat, as if folded in the shape of a house with several peaks.
Cap Description
The beam line has an unusual and very remarkable hat, the height of which can vary from 4 to 10 cm, and the width is 12-15 cm. Some sources even indicate that this is not the limit of growth, and the mushroom can reach larger sizes.
The surface of the cap is coarsely wavy, folded and consists of several plates, curved upwards and forming 2-4 lobes, which are folded unevenly. Their sharp corners are directed to the sky, and the lower edges lean against the leg.
Inside the cap is hollow, white. And on the outside, in a young specimen, it can be from yellow-orange to red-brown. The color darkens with growth.
Description of the leg
The leg of the beam line has a cylindrical shape, expanding downwards, with ribbed longitudinal protrusions. It is inconspicuous, short and thick, often rudimentary, reaching only 3 cm in height, 2-5 cm in diameter. The color is white, but black blotches are visible at the base, they appear due to accumulated soil in the folds of the leg. It is the remains of the soil that distinguish this representative from his close relatives.
The flesh of the leg is fragile, in the cap – thin, watery. On the cut, the color can be from white to pinkish. The smell is mild, mushroom.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
The beam line belongs to a number of conditionally edible. But according to various sources, there is conflicting information about the suitability of this mushroom for food. Some indicate that this species is toxic and can cause poisoning. In others, on the contrary, it is written that the mushroom is suitable for consumption after boiling.
Where and how to grow
The most common line is beam in Europe. It grows in broad-leaved forests and clearings, usually singly or in small groups. More prefers carbonate soils, often found on the site of rotting stumps.
Fruiting begins in March, the peak of growth occurs in April-May.
Twins and their differences
Due to the unusual appearance of the beam line, it can only be confused with mushrooms such as:
- line giant – conditionally edible, differs in a larger size and a light hat, to
- autumn line – differs in the fruiting period, which falls on July-August, and it is also more toxic, inedible and deadly poisonous when fresh.
Conclusion
The beam line is an early spring representative of the kingdom of mushrooms, which opens a new season for mushroom pickers. But you should not collect full baskets, as with this type you should be careful when cooking. Otherwise, the use of sharp-topped lines can lead to poisoning.
