Contents
Mutsilago cortex until recently was classified as a fungus. In recent years, it has been identified as a separate group of myxomycetes (mushroom-like), or, simply, slime molds.
Mutsilago corky loves to settle on the branches of trees, which it sticks around on all sides with its light coral-like outgrowths.
Where does mucilago cortex grow?
It mainly lives in countries with a warm, humid climate. Here it can be found almost throughout the year. In temperate latitudes, it occurs more often in broad-leaved forests, from summer to late autumn.
It goes through several main life phases of its development:
- creeping plasmodium (lives imperceptibly to the eye in the soil);
- sporulation (comes to the surface in the form of fruiting bodies);
- temporary withering (dries up, but in this form it can retain vital functions for several decades).
Mucilago cortex is clearly visible in dense green grass or moss.
What does mucilago cortex look like?
Mucilago cortex is a plant organism that looks very much like a mushroom fruiting body. It has a fairly large size, so it is easy to spot. In addition, it has a white or light color – against the background of green grass, moss, it immediately catches the eye. The structure of the body is soft, loose, covered with a thin crust on top, thanks to which the plant got its name.
The external resemblance to mushrooms ends there, although they have some points of intersection. For example, both of them reproduce by spores, can live in the soil or come to the surface.
There are much more differences between them:
- food is arranged completely differently;
- the outer cover does not consist of chitin, as in mushrooms, but of lime;
- the fruiting body is not a whole organism, but consists of many individual plasmodia;
- can move at a speed of 0,5-1 cm per hour.
If fungi absorb organic matter from the soil, then myxomycetes do this through the cell membrane. The fruiting body envelops particles of organic matter (food) and encloses them inside the cell in special vesicles. There, the process of decomposition and digestion takes place.
Outwardly, mucilago cortical is very similar to thick semolina porridge
Is it possible to eat mucilago cortical mushroom
This mushroom-like organism is completely inedible. Its function in nature is other than to serve as food for other living beings. Being in the stage of plasmodium, it feeds on harmful bacteria, clearing the upper layers of the soil from them. Thus, it provides an invaluable service to all living nature and man, including healing and cleansing the external environment.
Conclusion
Mucilago cortex is quite common in our forests. But it is absolutely useless for humans as a source of nutrition. Therefore, it is best to leave the mushroom in its place – this is how it will bring maximum benefit, healing the microflora of the soil and the environment.