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The gentian white pig has several synonymous names: bitter white pig, gentian leucopaxillus. Previously, another name for the fungus was used – this is Leucopaxillus amarus.
Where does the white-pig gentian grow
The fungus is not distributed everywhere: in addition to Our Country, it grows in small quantities in Western Europe and North America. The main habitat is deciduous plantings rich in calcareous soil.
Most often found in old spruce forests and other coniferous plantations, where it forms “witch circles”
The fungus can grow both in groups and singly. The main fruiting period lasts from the last week of June to early September.
What does the white-pig gentian look like
The cap of fruiting bodies is 4 to 12 cm in diameter. In some specimens, this figure is 20 cm. In young specimens, the cap is hemispherical, straightens as it matures: it becomes convex or flat-convex. In some fruiting bodies, it is flat-prostrate, with a depression in the center.
The color changes depending on the maturity of the fungus: young specimens are reddish-brown, with a darkening in the middle.
At the end of the fruiting period, the cap turns pale, acquiring an orange-yellow or white hue.
Some of the specimens have cracks, their edges are slightly twisted
The plates are narrow, descending, often located. They are white or creamy in color. Some specimens have yellowish plates with red-brown spots or stripes.
Leg length reaches 4,5 cm, smooth, but with a thickened base, white color with flakes on the surface
The flesh of leucopaxillus is yellowish-white in color and has a pungent mealy flavor. Very bitter in taste.
The twin of the white pig gentian is a scaly row. The mushroom is fleshy, its flesh is white and dense, it has a powdery smell. The hat at the row with a diameter of 4 to 8 cm, rounded or bell-shaped with tucked edges. It has a matte surface with scales, tan in color with a reddish center. The stem is cylindrical, slightly curved.
The scaly row grows in mixed forests or in coniferous plantations, giving preference to pines.
The double is edible, in some sources it is indicated as conditionally edible or inedible. The inconsistency of information is associated with a small study of the species.
It has an external resemblance to the white-pig gentian and the row is white-brown. She has a hemispherical or convex-prostrate hat with a fibrous skin, which cracks over time and creates the appearance of scales. Color from brown with an admixture of chestnut to brownish. There are lighter specimens. The plates are frequent, white with patches of a reddish-brown hue.
The leg of young representatives is white, but as the fruiting bodies ripen, it changes color to brown
The mushroom is conditionally edible; before use, it requires soaking and boiling. In foreign sources, it belongs to the category of inedible.
Unlike the gentian white pig, in the twin, the flesh under the skin has a red-brown hue, not bitter in taste.
Is it possible to eat white pig gentian
Fruiting bodies are classified as inedible, but not poisonous. They are not eaten because of their taste: the flesh is very bitter.
Conclusion
Gentian white pig is a beautiful, large, but inedible mushroom. It grows in coniferous plantations. The fruiting period is from July to September.
