Marsh mushroom (Lactarius sphagneti)
- Division: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Incertae sedis (of uncertain position)
- Order: Russulales (Russulovye)
- Family: Russulaceae (Russula)
- Genus: Lactarius (Milky)
- Type: Lactarius sphagneti (Marsh breast)
The marsh mushroom, like other types of mushrooms, belongs to the russula family. The family includes more than 120 species.
It is an agaric fungus. The name “gruzd” has Old Slavic roots, while there are several versions of explanations. The first is that mushrooms grow in clusters, in groups, that is, in piles; the second is a gruzdky mushroom, that is, easily broken, fragile.
Lactarius sphagneti is found everywhere, prefers humid places, lowlands. The season is from June to November, but the peak of growth occurs in August – September.
The fruiting body of the marsh mushroom is represented by a cap and a stem. The size of the cap is up to 5 cm in diameter, the shape is prostrate, sometimes in the form of a funnel. In the center there is often a sharp tubercle. The edges of the cap of young milk mushrooms are bent, then completely lowered. Skin color – reddish, reddish-brown, brick, ocher, may fade.
The hymenophore of the fungus is frequent, the color is reddish. The plates descend on the leg.
The leg is very dense, densely covered with fluff in the lower part. May be hollow or have a channel. Color – in the shade of a mushroom cap, maybe a little lighter. The size of the fungus depends on the climatic conditions of the region, weather, soil type, and the presence of moss.
The flesh of the milk mushroom is of a marsh creamy color, the taste is unpleasant. The secreted milky juice is whitish, in the open air it quickly becomes gray, with a yellowish tint. Old marsh mushrooms secrete a very caustic, burning juice.
Edible mushroom. It is used for food, but in terms of taste it is inferior to the real milk mushroom (Lactarius resimus).