Boletus multi-colored (multi-colored butterflies): where it grows, what it looks like

The genus Obabok, to which the varicolored boletus belongs, is distinguished by a wide variety of species. Often, the species differences between its representatives are so blurred that it is possible to distinguish one variant of the boletus from another only after a special analysis. However, this is usually not required, since they are all edible.

Where does the multi-colored boletus grow

The main growth area of ​​the varicolored boletus extends to the temperate regions of the European part of Our Country, as well as the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. The fungus prefers moist soils, often grows in marshy areas, on hummocks and hills, often in moss. Usually found from June to October, in deciduous, rarely mixed forests, forming mycorrhiza with birch.

The boletus multi-colored usually grows in single specimens, although sometimes small groups are also found.

What does a multi-colored boletus look like

Often, when going to the forest, many mushroom pickers do not even think about the fact that boletus can differ from each other and consider them one species. However, it is not. You can distinguish a multi-colored boletus from the rest of the trees by the following features:

1. head. In a young mushroom, it is semicircular, dense, velvety to the touch, slippery in wet weather. The color of the upper skin is dirty gray, the color is unevenly spotted, dashed, reminiscent of marble. As the fruiting body grows, the edges of the cap rise, the shape becomes more and more pillow-like, and the structure becomes soft and loose. The spore-bearing layer is tubular, whitish, light gray or light beige, becoming brown with age. Usually the hat reaches 10-12 cm in diameter.

   

2. Leg. Smooth, cylindrical or slightly conical with an extension towards the base, with age it may bend or tilt. It grows under normal conditions up to 10-12 cm in length and up to 3 cm in diameter; if the fungus grows in moss areas, it can grow longer. The structure is longitudinally fibrous, dense, dry in young specimens, watery in old specimens. The flesh of the leg is white, the surface is covered with numerous small brown or black scales.

   

Is it possible to eat multi-colored boletus

Boletus multi-colored refers to edible mushrooms of category II. It includes species with good taste and high nutritional value. You can eat multi-colored boletus even in its raw form, without prior soaking and heat treatment.

Benefits and harm to the body

The proteins contained in the fruiting bodies of the varicolored boletus are almost identical in composition to the proteins of animal origin. Therefore, mushrooms can be considered as an alternative to meat, which will be useful, for example, for vegetarians. Obabka pulp contains calcium and magnesium, B vitamins, nicotinic and ascorbic acid. However, do not forget that in the process of growth, mushrooms absorb heavy metals and radionuclides. Therefore, they should not be collected in the following places.

1. Close to busy highways.
2. Close to railways.
3. On the territories of existing and abandoned industrial zones.
4. Close to military installations.

False doubles

It is not entirely correct to talk about false twins of a multi-colored boletus. The term “false” usually means a fungus similar in description, the use of which can cause poisoning. However, in this case, we can only talk about species that can be visually confused with this obabka. There are practically no poisonous and inedible among them, therefore, an incorrect determination of the type of mushroom during collection will not lead to any serious negative consequences.

Mushrooms visually similar to multi-colored obabok include all other types of boletus:

• White;

  

• Swamp green;

  

• Harsh;

  

• Ordinary.

  

False twins can also be attributed to the gall fungus (gorchak). It is about the same in size, while its leg is more fleshy, and the cap has a brown color of various shades and a pinkish (dirty pink in old mushrooms) tubular layer.

The main difference between the bitter taste is its pungent bitter taste, which only intensifies during heat treatment. This mushroom is not poisonous, but it is impossible to eat it. It is enough to break off a piece of the mushroom and try the pulp with the tip of the tongue to accurately determine whether it is a boletus or a mustard.

Use

You can eat multi-colored boletus in any form, it is safe. Most often, these mushrooms are used for boiling and subsequent frying for use with potatoes. Multi-colored boletus can be dried and frozen, pickled.

Obabki is used to make mushroom soup, pie fillings, sauces, and mushroom caviar. A short video on how to pickle boletus:

Conclusion

Boletus versicolor is one of the most common mushrooms in Our Country. It is rare that a trip to the forest is complete without a close acquaintance with this obabok or its closest relatives from the same kind. The mushroom is well suited for cooking many different dishes and is a coveted trophy for many mushroom pickers.