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Lepiota scaly is a type of poisonous mushroom belonging to the Champignon family. In the people it can be called a mushroom-umbrella.
What do scaly lepiotas look like
This mushroom has a small cap of a convex or flat-protruding shape. In scaly lepiota, it is distinguished by a slightly lowered, sometimes bent inward frame, in which the color is similar to weathered meat.
From above, this surface is entirely covered with scales, like concentric circles converging towards the center.
Under the cap of the lepiota there are free wide plates. Their color is creamy, slightly greenish. The spores of the fungus are ovoid, completely colorless. The stem of a poisonous plant is low, cylindrical in shape, with fibrous remnants located from the ring in the center. The pulp is dense, at the top of the legs and caps of a cream shade, at the bottom – cherry.
The young lepiota smells like fruit, the old mushroom smells like bitter almonds. The ripening period occurs from mid-June and continues until the end of September.
Where scaly lepiotas grow
Lepiota scaly grows in North America and Europe, in Ukraine, southern Our Country and the countries of Central Asia. It is a saprophyte that lives both on the soil and inside plant debris. Because of this, the fungus is quite common across the continents.
You can meet this variety in such places:
- forest or meadow;
- park lawn;
- trees;
- straw;
- treated wood;
- dry palm branches.
Is it possible to eat scaly lepiotas
Lepiota scaly can easily be confused with deceptive cystoderm, which is allowed to be eaten. The umbrella mushroom differs from the edible one by the presence of scales merging in the center (forming a closed cover). They are absent from the edible counterpart. Also, his leg does not contain a film ring.
For this reason, mushrooms should be picked very carefully. If there is no certainty, it is better to refuse any tasting. Lepiota scaly is a highly poisonous mushroom, which contains cyanides and nitriles. These are very dangerous substances against which there are no antidotes.
Cyanides cause damage to the central nervous system, as well as the brain, nitriles lead to paralysis of the respiratory system. The concentration of poison in squamous lepiot is low. But it is enough for poisoning, so the appearance of the fungus is dangerous even when its spores are inhaled.
Symptoms of poisoning
After the lepiota scaly mushroom is eaten, signs of poisoning are noted quite quickly (after 10 minutes). Once in the digestive system, toxins enter the bloodstream. The victim has profuse vomiting, and foam of a transparent or white hue may also appear on the lips. This is caused by massive rupture of the alveoli in the lung tissue.
The temperature rises. Sometimes bluish spots form on the skin. The person has difficulty breathing. Limbs may not work due to damage to the central nervous system. Half an hour later, cardiac arrest is likely.
First aid for poisoning
In case of poisoning with lepiota scaly, self-medication should not be carried out. If you experience small manifestations of malaise after eating an umbrella mushroom, you should urgently call an ambulance or take the patient to the hospital yourself.
Since the main provocateur of lepiota squamous poisoning is its toxins that have penetrated into the blood, the first emergency measure will be the removal of those substances that have not had time to be absorbed by the circulatory system.
This event is recommended to be performed in several ways:
- immediately rinse the stomach after poisoning with lepiota scaly boiled water (at least 1 liter) or a light solution of potassium permanganate, then press with two fingers on the base of the tongue, provoking vomiting;
- drink any sorbent in the calculation of at least 0,5 g for each kilogram of its own weight;
- when there is no diarrhea, it is better to drink a laxative at a dose of 1 g for each kilogram of weight in two doses;
- to prevent the risk of blood flow disorders, apply heat to the peritoneum and legs;
- drink strong tea all the time.
Treatment of poisoning with lepiota scaly is carried out by toxicological departments. Remedial activities include the following:
- gastric lavage using a thick probe;
- taking a saline laxative;
- implementation of forced diuresis.
In case of poisoning with lepiota scaly, drugs are also used, the dosage of which and the frequency of administration are prescribed by the doctor. If necessary, use hemosorption using a carbon column. Also, during the treatment, measures are taken that stop further damage to the internal organs.
Severe lepiota squamous poisoning provokes chronic renal and hepatic failure, which requires transplantation of these organs. Such poisoning by pregnant women is dangerous, since toxins can penetrate the placental barrier, damaging the fetus, causing miscarriage or premature birth.
Conclusion
If there are experienced mushroom pickers in the environment, then it is better to show them the plucked mushroom and make sure that it is not a scaly lepiota. Mushrooms are a healthy and tasty product, from which it is easy to prepare many dishes and even use them for treatment purposes. But before you go into the forest, you need to carefully study the information about the differences between poisonous specimens and edible counterparts.