Contents
Phellodon felt or blackberry felt belongs to numerous blackberry mushrooms, the common feature of which is the presence of a spiny hymenophore. It is classified as a rare mushroom. Interestingly, its fruiting bodies can be used to dye wool and fabrics in various shades of brown, golden, greenish.
What does felt hedgehog look like
Felt Phellodons, or Phellodon tomentosus, are inhabitants of old coniferous forests. Many of them grow together, so that whole conglomerates arise, the dimensions of which reach 20 cm.
Cap Description
The size of the hat of the fellodon varies from 2 to 6 cm, no more. In shape, it is depressed in the central part. It has a wrinkled, velvety surface with fine pubescence. In young hedgehogs, the hats are round and even. Over time, they change, acquire a sinuous outline of the edge.
An unusual feature is the concentric coloration. A white or light beige ring runs along the edge of the cap. Closer to the center are rings of various shades of brown: with a grayish, yellow, red tone.
The flesh is yellow-brown. Dried mushroom has a specific smell, reminiscent of fenugreek. He has a bitter taste.
Description of the leg
The leg is solid, in the form of a cylinder. Its length is 1-3 cm. The surface of the stem is usually smooth, sometimes slightly pubescent. Color, like a hat with rings, brownish shades.
The bases of many mushrooms grow together with neighboring fruiting bodies, they contain needles, moss, and small twigs.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Phellodon felt is classified as inedible. The main reason is the bitter taste. The level of toxicity has not been reliably studied. There is no exact data on whether it contains poison.
Attention! Among the hedgehogs, there are four inedible varieties: black, rough, false and felted.
Where and how to grow
It grows on coniferous litter and soil. Prefers mixed and coniferous forests, mainly pine, old-growth. Grows in numerous groups. Fruiting occurs from July to October.
It occurs in Western Siberia: in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, Surgut, Novosibirsk Region.
Phellodon demonstrates exactingness to the purity of the soil. It is sensitive to sulfur and nitrogen content. For this reason, it grows only in very clean areas with poor soils.
Twins and their differences
The blackberry is similar to felted fellodon. The latter has a more slender fruiting body, brownish spines and dark red flesh. Hedgehog striped, like felt, is inedible.
Conclusion
Felt Phellodon cannot be counted as a common mushroom. It can be recognized by the spikes and concentric patterns on the cap and stem. You can’t eat the mushroom, as there is no exact information about how poisonous the pulp can be.