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Omphalina cinder is a representative of the Tricholomy family. The Latin name is omphalina maura. This species has several synonyms: charcoal fayodiya and cinder mixomfalia. All these names in one way or another indicate the unusual place of growth of this specimen.
Description of omfalina cinder
This species prefers mineral-rich, moist soil or burnt areas.
The fruit body of the omphalina cinder is rather peculiar – due to the dark color. The pulp is thin, has a slight mealy aroma, the taste is not pronounced.
Cap Description
Grows singly or in groups in open areas
At the initial stage of development, the cap is convex in shape with tucked-in edges and a slightly compressed center. Mature specimens are distinguished by a funnel-shaped, deeply depressed hat with uneven and wavy edges. Its size reaches about 5 cm in diameter. The surface of the cinder omphalina cap is hygrophanous, radially striated, smooth and dry, becomes sticky during the rainy season, and in drying specimens it becomes shiny, grayish in tone.
The peel from the cap of the omphalina cinder is removed quite easily. The cap is thin-fleshy, its color varies from olive brown to dark brown. Under the cap there are frequent plates descending to the leg. Painted in white or beige shades, less often – in yellowish. Spores are ellipsoid, smooth and transparent.
Description of the leg
Omphalina grows throughout the summer and in the first half of autumn
The leg of the cinder omphalina is cylindrical, hollow, reaches no more than 4 cm in length, and up to 2,5 mm in diameter in thickness. As a rule, its color coincides with the color of the cap, but at the base it can be several tones darker. The surface is longitudinally ribbed or smooth.
Where and how to grow
A favorable time for omphalina cinder is the period from June to September. It prefers to grow in coniferous forests, and is also quite common in open areas, for example, in gardens or meadows, as well as in the middle of old fires. Fruiting singly or in small groups. It is quite widespread in Our Country, as well as in Western Europe and North Africa.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
This species belongs to the category of inedible mushrooms. Despite the fact that cinder omphalina does not contain toxic substances, it is not suitable for food.
Twins and their differences
This species has no poisonous counterparts.
Omphalina cinder in appearance is similar to some gifts of the forest:
- Omphalina goblet – belongs to the group of inedible mushrooms. The doppelganger’s cap is funnel-shaped with a depressed central part, painted in light brown or dark brown shades. The surface is striped, smooth to the touch. The leg is thin, grayish-brown in color, the length of which is about 2 cm, and the thickness is not more than 3 mm in diameter. As a rule, it grows on deciduous and coniferous trees, which is the main difference from the cinder omphalina.
- Omphalina Hudson – an inedible gift of the forest. Initially, the hat is convex in shape with edges tucked inward, becomes funnel-shaped as it matures, is about 5 cm in diameter. It is painted in brown shades, fades in dry weather and acquires lighter tones. It does not have a pronounced smell and taste. The stalk is hollow, almost even, slightly pubescent at the base. A distinctive feature of the omphalina cinder is the location of the mushrooms. So, the double prefers to settle down singly or in small groups among sphagnum or green mosses.
- Flake cinder – grows from May to October in coniferous forests on old fires. At the initial stage, the cap is convex, after a while prostrate with a small tubercle in the center. You can distinguish a twin by the color of the fruiting body. So, the cap of the cinder flake is colored in yellow-ocher or reddish-brown shades. The stem is the same color as the hat, but at the base it can be a couple of tones darker. Along its entire length there are light scales that form a zigzag pattern. Due to the hard flesh, it is not suitable for food.
Conclusion
Omphalina cinder is a rather interesting specimen, which differs from its relatives in the dark color of its fruiting bodies. But this gift of the forest does not carry any nutritional value, and therefore it is not recommended to collect. Despite the fact that toxic substances have not been identified in omphalina cinder, due to the thin pulp and small size of the fruiting bodies, this specimen is not suitable for food.