Contents
Exsidia glandular – the most unusual mushroom. It was called “witch oil”. A rare mushroom picker will pay attention to him. The mushroom looks like black marmalade. Grows on fallen tree branches. It is considered a biologically active food supplement.
What does exsidia glandular look like?
The description of glandular exsidia must begin with the fruiting body. It is low, reaching a height of 1-2 cm. Outside it is black. Inside is a clear or olive-brown jelly-like substance. The young mushroom has a teardrop shape. Having grown, it acquires a fruiting body, similar to the structure of the human brain: tuberculate and ear-shaped.
When it dries, the color becomes matte. The body hardens, forming a dense crust. With increasing humidity, it returns to its original state. The consistency is a soft density, similar to swollen gelatin or marmalade. Mature plants form a continuous colony, growing together into a single whole. Has no smell. The taste is weak. Other building features:
- The fruits of the fungus are white in color, curved cylindrical in shape. It gives spores all year round (in winter – during warming).
- Hypha (mushroom web) is branched, equipped with buckles.
- The reproductive organs (basidia) are spherical or egg-shaped and produce 4 spores.
Edibility of exsidia glandular
Exsidia glandular belongs to a variety of inedible mushrooms. Not considered poisonous. Those who have tried it report that this species has a characteristic glandular texture, there is no pronounced taste.
Where and how to grow
It can be found on the trunks and branches of fallen birches, oaks and aspens. The area of distribution of glandular exsidia is the entire middle wooded strip of Eurasia. It grows tightly to the bark, but it is good to cut with a knife. It grows both single specimens and extensive colonies, covering the entire rotting carrier tree. Deep autumn or early spring is the time for the appearance of the fungus.
Twins and their differences
Very similar to this mushroom are:
- Exidia truncated (Exidia truncata). It has a distinct flat black hat, which is attached sideways to the substrate. Not used for food.
- Exidia blackening (Exidia nigricans). It has a more wrinkled surface than the glandular one. Appears in the second half of spring on conifers. Inedible.
- Spruce Exsidia (Exidia pithya). The fruiting body is thinner, pillow-like. It ends with a ribbed-wavy crest. It is not considered as a food product. Grows on coniferous trees.
Conclusion
Exsidia glandularis is considered an inedible mushroom. All varieties of this species are not used for human consumption, as they have no nutritional value and, if used improperly, can harm the body.
