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Omphalina umbrella is a representative of the Tricholomovye or Ryadovkovye family, the genus Omphalina. It has a second name – Lichenomfalia Umbrella. This species demonstrates an example of successful cohabitation of algae with basidiosporous fungi.
Description of omphalin umbrella
It belongs to the group of lichens, but unlike the usual lichenized fungi, the fruiting body of the umbrella omphalina is presented in the form of a cap and a leg. The lichenized part is located on the same substrate as the specimen itself, in the form of a thallus, which contains unicellular algae of the genus Coccomyxa.
The color of the flesh of this species coincides with the cap, varies from light yellow to greenish-brown. Spores are elliptical, thin-walled, smooth and colorless, 7-8 x 6-7 microns in size. Spore powder is white. It has an unexpressed smell and taste.
Cap Description
A young specimen is distinguished by a bell-shaped hat, with age it becomes prostrate with a concave center. Omphalina umbrella is characterized by a very small cap. Its size in diameter varies from 0,8 to 1,5 cm. As a rule, the edges are thin, ribbed and furrowed. Most often painted in white-yellowish or olive-brown tones. On the inside of the cap are rare, pale yellow plates.
Thallus – Botrydina-type, consisting of dark green spherical granules, the size of which reaches about 0,3 mm, forming a dense mat on the substrate.
Description of the leg
The umbrella omphalina has a cylindrical and rather short leg, the length of which reaches no more than 2 cm, and the thickness is about 1-2 mm. It is painted in a yellow-brown shade, smoothly turning into a lighter one towards its lower part. The surface is smooth, with a white pubescence at the base.
Where and how to grow
The optimal growing time is from July to October. Prefers coniferous and mixed forests. Lichenomfalia umbelliferous most often grows on rotten stumps, tree roots, old fallen trees, as well as on living and dying mosses. Mushrooms can grow both singly and in small groups. Despite the fact that this species is considered quite rare, umbrella omphalina can be found on the territory of Our Country. So, this variety was seen in the Urals, the North Caucasus, Siberia, the Far East, as well as in the northern and middle strip of the European part.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
There is very little information on the edibility of the umbrella omphalina. However, there is evidence that this specimen has no culinary value, and therefore is inedible.
Twins and their differences
Omphalina umbrella has external similarities with the following species:
- Lichenomfalia alpine belongs to the category of inedible mushrooms, differs from the umbrella omphalina in small lemon-yellow fruiting bodies.
- Omphalina krynochkovidnaya – inedible mushroom. It prefers to live in the same regions as the species in question. However, the twin can be distinguished by the larger size of the fruiting body and the red-brown color of the cap.
Conclusion
Omphalina umbrella – is a lichen, which is a symbiosis of green algae (phycobiont) and fungus (mycobiont). It is rare, but this specimen can be found in mixed and coniferous forests of Our Country. Considered inedible.