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The motley mushroom, or in Latin Xerocomellus chrysenteron, is a mushroom of the Boletaceae family, the genus Xerocomellus or Mohovichok. Among mushroom pickers, it is also known under the name fissured, yellow-meaty and pasture boletus. Some scientists attribute it to the genus of mushrooms.
What do variegated flywheels look like
The fruiting body consists of a cap and a stem. The hat is small, fleshy, about 10 cm in diameter. Convex in shape. To the touch, its surface is dry, similar to felt. The color varies from light brown to dark brown. The edges of the cap are often framed with a narrow reddish border. As it grows, the skin cracks, revealing red flesh.
The tubular layer is colored depending on the age of the variegated mushroom. In young specimens it is light yellow, in old specimens it is green. The tubes also change color from yellow or greyish to olive. Their stomata are wide and their spores are spindle-shaped.
The leg is even, without thickenings, cylindrical, tapers in the lower part. The length does not exceed 9-10 cm. Its color is light yellow or with a brown tint, closer to red at the base. When pressed, bluish spots appear on the leg.
The pulp is yellowish in color, turns blue on cuts and when pressed, and then turns red. At the base of the stem and under the cap, the flesh is colored red. The taste is delicate, slightly sweet, and the smell is similar to fruity.
Where do moths grow motley
Moss mushrooms variegated grow in temperate zones in the central part of Our Country, Siberia and the Far East. You can meet them in deciduous forests. Sometimes they are found among the conifers. Often settle near linden trees. They do not grow abundantly, singly or in small groups. Prefer loose soil, acidified and acidic soils.
Is it possible to eat variegated mushrooms
The motley moth is edible. According to nutritional value, it belongs to the fourth category. It is eaten, it contains nutrients.
False doubles
Inexperienced mushroom pickers confuse motley flywheel with the following species:
- pepper mushroom. It is sometimes mistaken for flywheels. To distinguish between these species, it is necessary to cut or break the fruiting body. The flywheel turns blue when broken, and the pulp of the pepper mushroom acquires a reddish tint. The tubular layer of the latter is painted in brick color.
- chestnut mushroom, or gyroporus. It is not a poisonous species, but it is not eaten. Gyroporus tastes very bitter. Its resemblance to the motley flywheel lies in the appearance of characteristic cracks on the hat. But the chestnut mushroom has a hollow stem and does not turn blue when cut.
- gall fungus. In order not to confuse it, an incision should be made. The pulp of the gall fungus is pinkish on the cut.
Collection rules
Collection time is from July to October. Young mushrooms are more suitable for consumption. Fruit bodies are cleaned from the earth, forest litter. Subsequently, they are washed, cut off the damaged areas, a layer of spores under the hat.
Use
You can cook delicious dishes from motley moss. It is suitable for various types of cooking: boiling, frying, stewing, marinating. Fruiting bodies can also be dried for the winter.
Housewives do not always take up their preparation for one reason: old mushrooms are often slippery. Therefore, for soups, salads, main courses, it is recommended to take young specimens.
Conclusion
Moth mushroom is a common edible mushroom that can be found in the temperate zone, in deciduous forests. In order not to confuse it with twins, you should check the cut. At the flywheel, it always turns blue.