Pilate’s white-carrier: where it grows and what it looks like

Pilat’s white-carrier is one of the representatives of a large Champignon family. In Latin it sounds like Leucoagaricus pilatianus. Belongs to the category of humus saprotrophs. In some sources, it is called Pilate’s white champignon. Although there are differences between the genera of white dung beetles and white champignons. They relate to the nature of the surfaces of the caps and the external parameters of the fruiting bodies.

Where does Pilate’s white dung beetle grows?

Finding a mushroom is quite problematic. It belongs to rare species. Grows in parks, gardens or oak groves. Prefers artificial arrays of horse chestnut. Oak is the favorite tree of the white dung. The species does not occur as single specimens; it grows in small groups. On the territory of the Federation, it is found in the Crimea, the Rostov region. Although cosmopolitan, the mushroom is not easy to find. Fruiting from August to October and only in years with high rainfall.

Under favorable climatic conditions, even rare mushrooms give a good harvest.

What does Pilate’s white manure look like?

To make a complete portrait of the fruiting body, it is enough to describe its main parts:

1. The cap changes its shape during the growth of the fungus. At first, it resembles a ball, then it becomes convex-prostrate or convex. In the middle is a round tubercle, which differs from the rest of the surface in a darker color. The diameter of the cap varies from 3,5 cm to 9 cm. The color is light brown with a red tint, the middle is slightly darker than the ends. The surface is covered with radial fibers, velvety-felt in structure. The edges of the cap are thin. In a young white mushroom, they are bent, sometimes the remains of a bedspread are visible on them. The flesh is light, pinkish-brown in places of fractures. It has a slight smell of cedar wood or almost no smell. Taste unknown.

   

2. The plates are thin cream, when pressed, they turn brown-red.
3. The stem is attached strictly in the center of the cap. Expands to the base, ends with a small tuber. Thickness 0,4-1,8 cm, length 4-12 cm. In young specimens it is homogeneous, then becomes hollow as the fungus grows. The color varies in length, the shades are separated by a ring. Above the ring, the stem is painted white, below the ring it is reddish-brown. The ring also has identical colors – the upper part is white, the lower part is red-brown.
   
   

   Having studied the main features of the species, you can not be afraid to confuse it with others.

Is it possible to eat Pilate’s white dung beetle

This type of white mushroom is quite rare. Its toxicity is little studied, detailed information on the effect on the human body is not available. Because of this, the mushroom is not recommended for consumption. In scientific sources classified as inedible. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that not only can not be eaten, but it is better not to contact the fruiting bodies at all. If such an instance is encountered on the path of a mushroom picker, you need to bypass it. Also, do not take it in your hands. This requirement can be explained by the external similarity of the species with other white mushrooms, among which there are edible ones. In order not to be mistaken, you need to carefully study the description and not collect unfamiliar mushrooms.

The characteristic color of the fruiting body helps not to confuse it with edible species.

Conclusion

Pilate’s white-beetle is a rare mushroom and not recommended for collection. Knowing its main external parameters will help to avoid fruiting bodies from falling into the basket of “quiet hunting” lovers.