Fly agaric thick (stocky): photo and description

Amanita muscaria belongs to the Amanita family. This mushroom is found in summer and autumn. Although the variety is classified as conditionally edible, it is not recommended to eat it. Fruiting bodies require long-term processing, while their taste is mediocre. The most dangerous are his counterparts – other members of the family. They are poisonous to humans and cause poisoning.

Description of the thick fly agaric

According to the photo, the thick fly agaric is an agaric. Its fruit can be divided into a stem and a cap. The variety is also known by other names – tall or stocky fly agaric.

Cap Description

The upper part measures from 6 to 10 cm. In the largest specimens, the hat grows to a diameter of 15 cm. Its shape is hemispherical, becoming convex and flat with time. The edges are fibrous, smooth. The surface is mucous after rains. In clear weather, it is silky, brown or gray in color. In the central part, the color is darker.

Young representatives have a veil on the hat. As the fungus grows, gray scaly remnants, similar to flakes, remain on it. The plates are white, narrow, frequent, adhering to the stem. The spores are also white.

Description of the leg

The leg is light in color, brownish or gray. In the upper part there is a fibrous ring. Height from 5 to 15 cm, thickness – up to 3 cm. The shape is cylindrical, there are cavities inside. The base of the leg is thickened, resembling a mace. The flesh is white, the taste and smell are weak, reminiscent of radish or anise.

Twins and their differences

The fat fly agaric has twins. These are mushrooms that have similar external signs. Basically, this includes other species that belong to the Amanita family. Most of them are poisonous, they are not eaten.

The main twins of the thick fly agaric:

1. Fly agaric royal. A poisonous variety, has a hat ranging in size from 5 to 25 cm. Its shape is spherical or prostrate, with numerous white flakes on the surface. The leg is up to 20 cm long and not more than 3,5 cm in diameter. The shape is cylindrical, expanded near the base. It is quite difficult to distinguish it from a thick fly agaric: they have a similar color and body structure.

   

2. Amanita panther. An inedible poisonous species that grows in mixed and coniferous forests. Hat up to 12 cm, bell-shaped or prostrate. The coloration is gray, brown, covered with white warts. The plates are white, narrow, located freely. The leg is up to 13 cm long, its diameter reaches 1,5 cm. One of the most dangerous mushrooms, causes poisoning when consumed. Practically indistinguishable from a thick fly agaric.

   

3. Amanita mushroom. Mushroom with a cap up to 10 cm in size, flat-convex or depressed shape. The color is white, yellowish-green, covered with white or gray flakes. The flesh is light, yellowish, with an unpleasant taste and smell. Leg up to 10 cm long, up to 2 cm in diameter, hollow, white. It differs from conditionally edible species in a lighter color. The mushroom is poisonous and is not used for food.

   

4. Gray-pink toadstool. The variety has a hat up to 20 cm in size, spherical or convex. The skin is brown or pinkish. Leg up to 10 cm long, cylindrical. The species is distinguished by pinkish flesh, which is redder after cutting. It is considered conditionally edible; it is used as food after heat treatment.

   

Where and how does a thick fly agaric grow

The species is found in coniferous and deciduous forests. It forms mycosis with spruce, pine, fir. Sometimes they grow next to beech and oak. On the territory of Our Country they are found in the middle lane, in the Urals and in Siberia.

Fruiting bodies require two conditions to grow: high humidity and warm weather. They are found in forest glades, in ravines, near water bodies, rivers, forest roads and paths. The fruiting period is summer and autumn.

Edible chunky fly agaric or not

Thick fly agaric belongs to the group of conditionally edible. It combines mushrooms that are allowed to be eaten. Pre-fruiting bodies are cleaned of forest debris, soaked in water and boiled for an hour.

Symptoms of poisoning and first aid

Poisoning with a thick fly agaric is possible if the rules for its preparation were not followed. Negative consequences appear with excessive use of pulp.

Poisoning is diagnosed by a number of signs:

• pain in the stomach;
• nausea and vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• weakness in the whole body;
• increased sweating, fever.

In case of poisoning, the victim is given first aid. Be sure to call a doctor. Before his arrival, you need to achieve vomiting in order to clear the stomach of the particles eaten. Then take activated charcoal and warm drinks. Treatment of poisoning takes place in the hospital department. The patient is washed out the stomach, given tonics. Depending on the degree of damage, the treatment period can be several weeks.

Interesting facts about the stocky fly agaric

Curious facts about fly agaric:

1. Fly agaric is one of the most recognizable mushrooms. It is determined by the color of the cap and the white flakes located on it.
2. Fly agarics include the most poisonous mushrooms in the world – the white toadstool and the panther variety.
3. These mushrooms got their name due to the fact that they were used to fight flies. The composition of the pulp includes substances that have a soporific effect on insects. The pomace from the hats was poured into a container with water. The flies drank the liquid, fell asleep and drowned. However, the thick fly agaric does not have such an effect on insects.
4. Species with a beautiful hat were considered sacred by many peoples. With their help, shamans of antiquity entered into a trance and communicated with spirits. The thick fly agaric does not contain hallucinogenic substances.
5. Fatalities from consumption of the stocky species are rare. This is due to their unusual appearance and lack of edible twins. A lethal outcome is possible when 15 or more hats are consumed raw.
6. Poisonous representatives of the Amanita family eat moose, squirrels, bears. For animals, this is an excellent remedy for parasites. How much mushrooms are required to eat in order not to get poisoned, they determine intuitively.
7. In case of poisoning, the first symptoms appear after 15 minutes.
8. In folk medicine, an infusion of these mushrooms is used for rubbing, treating joint diseases, disinfecting and healing wounds.

Conclusion

Amanita thick prefers damp areas in deciduous and mixed forests. The variety is considered conditionally edible. However, it is not recommended to collect it, especially for novice mushroom pickers. The thick fly agaric has poisonous counterparts that are deadly to humans.