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Peziza varia (Peziza varia) is an interesting agaric fungus that is part of the genus and family of Pecicia. Belongs to the class of discomycetes, marsupials and is a relative of lines and morels. Previously, it was distinguished by mycologists as a separate species. Recent studies at the molecular level have proven that the varieties of pecia that were considered separate can be attributed to one large genus.
What does changeable pepper look like?
Fruiting bodies are cup-shaped, do not have the usual hats. Young pezitsa changeable takes the form of a spherical cognac glass slightly opened from above. As they grow, the edges straighten out, taking a funnel-shaped, and then a saucer shape with a pronounced depression at the site of growth and sides twisted inward.
The edges are uneven, wavy, slightly torn, serrated. There are randomly arranged folds. The surface is smooth, shiny and moist, as if varnished. The color is even, without differences, the color of coffee with milk, slightly greenish or brown shades. May be cream and golden red. The outer surface is dull, with tiny hairs or scales, light, white-gray or yellowish. It can grow up to 15 cm. Its usual size is 4-8 cm.
The leg is missing. Some specimens have a small pseudopod. Spore powder is pure white. The flesh is gray or brown in color, with five to seven distinct layers.
Where and how to grow
Pezitsa mutable loves rotten, half-decayed wood, soils saturated with forest waste, or old conflagrations. The mushroom picker begins to bear fruit already in the spring, when the weather is quite warm and the snow melts, it even got the name of the snowdrop mushroom. They continue to grow until the October frosts, and in the southern regions up to persistent frosts.
It occurs quite often, in small, closely planted groups, in forests, gardens and parks. Distributed in the Krasnodar Territory and throughout Our Country. It can also be seen throughout Europe and North America.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
There is no exact data on the toxicity or edibility of this mushroom species. The fruit body has an unsightly appearance, thin rubbery flesh, which is tasteless and devoid of any odor. Culinary value tends to zero, so the mushroom is considered inedible.
Twins and their differences
Variable pepper is extremely similar to the fruiting bodies of the varieties of its own family. Their differences are minimal and almost invisible to the naked eye. Fortunately, no poisonous twins have been found in the fungus.
Pezica ampliata (extended). Inedible. It does not contain toxic substances. As it grows, it acquires a pie-shaped, diagonally elongated shape and, as it were, smoked, brown-black edges. The color of the outer side is brownish-sand.
Pezitz Arvernensis (Auvergne). Non-toxic, inedible due to low nutritional value. It has a darker color of the surface and pulp, the edges are more even. A rudimentary pseudopod can often be observed. The pulp is brittle, without pronounced layers.
Pezica repanda (blossomed). It is classified as an inedible mushroom due to its thin, tasteless pulp. The edges of the bowl are not wrapped, more elongated, for which they received the nickname “donkey ears”.
Pezica micropus (small-legged). Not edible due to low nutritional value. The pulp is brittle, weakly layered. Its main difference from the changeable petsitsa is a pronounced pseudopod and small size, 1,5-6 cm in diameter.
Badia pizza (brown). Non-poisonous, inedible. Fruiting bodies have a rich brown and dark chocolate color, grow up to 16-18 cm.
Pezica changeable also has a great resemblance to the fruiting bodies of the genus Tarzetta (barrel-shaped, cup-shaped, and others). They are distinguished by a pronounced pseudopod, light coloration of the outer side and miniature size, from 10 to 30 mm. Inedible due to their small size and low nutritional value.
Conclusion
Variable pepper grows in forests on fallen trees and old stumps. It occurs in gardens, parks and fields, on half-rotted sawdust, in fallen trees. Feels great on soil rich in woody humus. It has an original bowl shape. Its entire inner surface is a spore-bearing layer, the outer is sterile. The fungus can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere in small groups from May to October. It has no nutritional value due to the thin, tasteless pulp; there is no exact data on the toxins or poisons contained in it.
