The columnar lattice has become a very unusual and beautiful specimen, which is quite rare. Belongs to the Vaselkov family. It is generally accepted that this species was introduced to North America, since it is there that it is most often found in landscape areas and other places where exotic plants are planted.

Where do columnar lattices grow

Most often, the columnar lattice is found in North and South America, China, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, New Guinea and Oceania. Since this species feeds on dead and decaying organic matter, they grow in habitats with large accumulations of wood chips, mulch, and other cellulose-rich materials. Lattice columnar can be found in parks, gardens, clearings and around them.

What do columnar lattices look like?

Lattice columnar: description and photo, edibility

In the immature form, the fruiting body is ovoid in shape, which is partially immersed in the substrate. With a vertical incision, one can see a thin peridium, compacted to the base, and behind it is a gelatinous layer, the approximate thickness of which is about 8 mm.

When the egg shell breaks, a fruiting body appears in the form of several connecting arcs. As a rule, there are from 2 to 6 blades. On the inside, they are covered with a spore-containing mucus that emits a specific odor that attracts flies. It is these insects that are the main distributors of spores of this species of fungus, as well as the entire genus of Veselkovs. The fruiting body is yellow or pink to orange-reddish. The flesh itself is tender and spongy. As a rule, the fruiting body takes on a brighter shade from above, and pale from below. The height of the blades can reach up to 15 cm, and the thickness is about 2 cm.

The spores are cylindrical with rounded ends, 3,5-5 x 2-2,5 µm. The columnar trellis does not have legs or any other base at the arcs; it sprouts exclusively from a burst egg, which remains below. In section, each arc is an ellipse with a longitudinal groove located on the outer side.

Important! It is generally accepted that instead of spore powder, this specimen has mucus, which is an abundant and compact mass attached to the upper part of the fruiting body at the junction of the blades. The mucus slowly slides down, has an olive-green color, which gradually acquires a darker shade.

Is it possible to eat columnar lattices

Despite the fact that there is not much information about the columnar trellis, all sources claim that this mushroom is marked as inedible. Cases of the use of this instance are also not recorded.

How to distinguish columnar gratings

Lattice columnar: description and photo, edibility

The most similar variant is the Javan flowertail. It has 3-4 lobes growing from a common stem, which can be short and therefore barely noticeable.

Lattice columnar: description and photo, edibility

The shell of the flowertail, the so-called bedspread, has a grayish or grayish-brown hue. You can distinguish a columnar lattice from this specimen as follows: cut the shell of the fruiting body and remove the contents. If there is a small stem, then it is a double, since the columnar lattice has arcs that are not connected to each other.

Lattice columnar: description and photo, edibility

Another representative of the Vaselkov genus is the red lattice, which resembles a columnar specimen. However, there are still differences. Firstly, the twin has a more rounded shape and a rich orange or red color, and secondly, it is the only representative of the lattice family that is found in Our Country, especially in the southern part. In addition, it is one of the poisonous mushrooms.

As for the columnar lattice moth, this object has not yet been noted on the territory.

Important! Experts say that it is possible to distinguish mushrooms from each other only in adulthood.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, the columnar lattice may be of interest to any mushroom picker with its unusual appearance. However, it is not so easy to meet him, since this specimen is rare.

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