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Kudonia dubious is a marsupial or leocyomycete belonging to the Kudoniyev family, the Rhythism order. The characteristic features of this representative were studied by the Italian scientist Giacomo Bresadola. The first information about these mushrooms appeared in 1828.
What do doubtful kudonias look like?
Kudonia dubious forms a fruiting body – apothecia, consisting of a stem and a cap, on the surface of which there is a layer of bags called asci. Spores ripen in these bags. They open in the form of gaps or cracks.
Cap Description
The hat reaches 1,5 – 3 cm, has a color from light brown, beige to dark brown. Its shape is convex, less often flattened, the edges are wrapped inside. The surface is uneven, bumpy, during rains it acquires a slimy character. Inside the caps there is a loose and whitish pulp, which has the smell of almonds; at the connection with the leg, the surface of the fruiting body is wrinkled.
Description of the leg
The legs of apothecia grow up to 5 cm. Sometimes there are high ones, reaching 8 cm. They are thin, hollow inside, up to 0,2 cm in diameter, and can expand upwards. The color of the entire apothecia is light, slightly darkening downwards.
Where doubtful kudonia grow
These mushrooms grow in coniferous forests. Growth features:
- the presence of spruce litter, moss;
- arrangement in spiral groups;
- the season of appearance is from July to September, the mass ripening period is the second half of August.
This is a fairly rare species found in Asia, Korea and Europe. But if he appears in the forest, then in whole colonies, forming “witch circles” according to the description of eyewitnesses. In Our Country, it is less common, in some places it can be seen in the European part. Another species of this family is twirled kudonia, this is a more common mushroom in our country.
Is it possible to eat dubious kudonia
This species is inedible. But nothing is known about its toxicity. Perhaps research in this area is ongoing.
Mushroom lookalikes
There are not so many twins in dubious cudonia. Some mushroom pickers confuse it with twisted kudonia. The difference is that the color of the legs is slightly lighter than that of the cap.
Also, this mushroom is similar in appearance to leotia gelatinous lubricus. But in Leotia, the hat has a false character: in fact, it is a continuation of the leg. It does not take a protracted form. The flesh has a putrid odor. It is edible, but due to its small size it has no practical value.
Conclusion
Kudonia dubious has not been studied well enough by mycologists. And outwardly, it can easily be confused with other species of this class, for example, with the second representative of the family, twisted kudonia. They are not eaten, although this variety is not considered poisonous.
