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At first glance, it may seem to an inexperienced mushroom picker that the crushed entoloma is a completely edible mushroom. However, eating can cause poisoning. The second common name for this fungus is pink-gray entoloma. In addition, there are other, less well-known options, such as: squeezing or smoky champignon, smoky or gray entoloma, autumn pink plastin, smoky pink plastin.
Description of the crushed Entoloma
The pulp of the mushroom is transparent white in color, is particularly fragile and does not have a pronounced taste. As a rule, pressed entoloma does not smell, but in some cases there may be a smell of nitric acid or alkali. Spores are angular, 8-10,5×7-9 µm. The spore powder is pink. The plates are quite wide, young specimens are white, and with age they become pink.
Cap Description
The hat is 4 to 10 cm in diameter; in a young specimen, it has a bell-shaped shape. With age, the cap gradually opens to an almost flat shape. It is characterized as dry, hygrophanous, smooth, with a slightly tucked wavy edge.
Description of the leg
Entoloma sagging has a leveled cylindrical leg, the height of which is from 3,5 to 10 cm, and the thickness is from 0,5 to 0,15 cm. As a rule, their surface is smooth and painted in a pale gray, white or brown tone. At the junction of the cap with the leg, you can see a tiny pile of white. The ring is missing.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Entoloma squeezing is classified as inedible and poisonous. Eating can cause severe stomach poisoning. Signs can be: dizziness, nausea, headache, severe vomiting, diarrhea. The duration of poisoning is about 3 days. When consumed in large quantities, a fatal outcome is possible.
Where and how does Entoloma pink-gray grow?
This species is quite common, it grows in almost the entire territory of Our Country, as well as in other countries that can boast of tropical rainforests. Perhaps the only exception is Antarctica.
Twins and their differences
It is generally accepted that poisonous mushrooms have a bright and attractive color, but this definitely does not apply to this representative of the mushroom kingdom. Entoloma squeezing is unremarkable and has a simple appearance, which is why it can be confused with many other edible mushrooms. The counterparts of this fungus are:
- Pluteus – similar to entoloma in color and size, but it is classified as edible. To distinguish an entoloma sagging from a double, it should be remembered that they grow exclusively on the soil, and spittles are most often located on stumps. The second difference can be the smell: a pleasant floury aroma comes from the double, and the entoloma either does not smell at all, or emits an unpleasant ammonia smell.
- Entoloma garden – in color and size exactly the same as pink-gray. They grow in forests, parks, meadows. In addition, they can be found in urban gardens under fruit trees – apple, pear, hawthorn.
As a rule, they appear in groups and are conditionally considered edible mushrooms. The main difference is the leg: in the garden entoloma it is twisted, slightly furrowed, grayish or pinkish in color, and in the squeezed one it is straight, usually white.
Conclusion
Entoloma squeezing is a fairly common species that can be found almost anywhere. However, it is important to remember that it is classified as a poisonous mushroom, so when collecting forest gifts, each specimen should be carefully examined.