Polevik early (early agrocibe): where it grows and what it looks like

The early fieldweed is one of the representatives of the Bolbitiaceae family of mushrooms. Latin – Agrocybe praecox. In addition, the species is also known under other names. Fans of “silent hunting” call it early vole, early agrocibe, early flake (Pholiota praecox). The popular name is “champignon for the lazy”. The reason was the external similarity, the same places of growth and taste parameters of the field crop with champignon. And also factors such as close proximity to human housing, abundant and early fruiting.

The appearance of mushrooms is very appetizing and does not resemble inedible varieties.

Where does the early field grow

Most often, a similar mushroom is found in parks and gardens. It grows on the edge of forest roads or rotted wood remains. Agrotsibe early is found in vegetable gardens or abandoned areas. A feature of this species is its exactingness to soil fertility. According to the external and taste indicators of the early field worker, one can judge the composition of the soil. The richer the soil, the tastier and more powerful the mushroom grows on it.

It is considered a rare fungus, although in some years there is a very strong fecundity of early scales. Polevik is harvested from early May to mid-July. The species grows in groups, sometimes very numerous.

If you are lucky to find at least one specimen, then the “quiet hunt” is considered successful – mushrooms grow in groups

It is successfully grown according to “champignon technology” at home.

What does a field crane look like

Early agrocybe cannot be called a large mushroom. All parts of the fruiting body are quite small in size:

1. Hat. The diameter varies from 3 cm to 8 cm. In young specimens, it has the shape of a hemisphere, then it opens and looks more like a pillow. As it grows, it becomes prostrate. The color of the surface is light clayey, yellowish. If grown in full sun, it may fade to off-white. On the edges, the remains of a bedspread are seen. The pulp has a pleasant mushroom smell, the color is whitish.

   

2. Plates grown with teeth, frequent and wide. In young field workers, they are light yellowish. Then they begin to darken and become dirty brown.

   

3. Leg. The color matches the hat perfectly. The structure is hard, fibrous. Hollow inside. The average height is about 5-8 cm. If the mushroom grows in tall grass, it can lengthen significantly. The thickness is not more than 1 cm. The remains of the ring remain on the upper part of the leg. The older the mushroom, the darker they are colored. Elliptical spores of a tobacco-brown hue are visible on these remains. The flesh of the leg is brown.

   

It is necessary to inspect the mushrooms from all sides, paying attention to the underside of the cap.

The mushroom is conspicuous, it is easy to identify it by the listed parameters.

Video for clarity:

Is it possible to eat an early field worker

The species is recognized in scientific circles as edible. It belongs to the 4th category of nutritional value.

The taste of the mushroom

Even the fact that the taste of polevik is significantly inferior to champignons in terms of parameters does not reduce its value and popularity. Some sources contain data on the presence of bitterness during tasting. However, this does not prevent you from preparing a lot of dishes from agrocybe. Moreover, not all lovers of mushroom taste feel bitterness.

False doubles

The early fruiting of the species prevents the possibility of confusing the fungus with many others. However, there are some representatives who have similar parameters.

Agrocybe hard (Agrocybe dura), very difficult to distinguish species. The signs by which you can recognize Polevik hard are:

1. Places of growth. The tough agrocybe prefers silage to woody remains and grassy areas away from trees. It is considered a silage saprophyte.
2. The size of the spores – they are larger. This parameter can only be seen under a microscope.
3. Appearance. The surface of the cap is covered with cracks, especially in dry weather. Pulp peeps through them. The leg is covered with broken fibers that hang down. They give the leg a pubescence.

It is necessary to carefully study the parameters of a hard field field in order to clearly distinguish the species from similar ones.

The edibility of the species has not been confirmed, so you should carefully inspect the mushrooms before placing them in a basket.

Cylindrical vole (Agrocybe cylindracea). It has a larger hat. In an adult mushroom, it reaches 15 cm in diameter. There is a small bump in the middle. The leg is cylindrical, 8-15 cm long. Also, the taste and smell of the species does not match the characteristics of the early field crop. In the cylindrical, the aroma resembles the smell of rancid butter, and the fruiting bodies have a powdery taste. The fungus grows not only on dead wood, but also on living trees. Prefers willow, elder, poplar. Fruiting from May to October. Considered an edible species.

If you have to meet a cylindrical vole, you can safely put the mushroom basket

Collection rules

Despite the fact that it is very convenient to collect Polevik early, you need to strictly adhere to the recommendations:

1. Do not take mushrooms near places with a negative condition – landfills, dunghills. Do not collect near railway and highway routes, industrial enterprises,
2. Before laying in the basket, carefully inspect the fruiting body. If the mushroom seems unfamiliar or there is at least one factor that confuses, then you need to put the find aside.
3. Process the crop in a timely manner, without leaving this process “for later”.
4. Adhere to the rules of culinary processing.

By following this short list of rules, you can save your health and loved ones.

Use

Agrotsibe early contains many useful components. Mushroom dishes are well absorbed by the human body. Even people with diseases of the digestive tract are allowed to use early polevik in remission. Restrictions are individual intolerance, the period of pregnancy and feeding the baby, age up to 3 years.

Fruiting bodies do not require preliminary preparation before cooking. You can cook them in any form – fry, marinate, stew, boil. With an early field worker, amazing caviar, pie fillings, and salads are prepared.

Conclusion

Polevik early has a very pleasant taste and good composition. Therefore, do not neglect the “unfinished champignons” during the mushroom hunt. This species will enrich the diet and will not harm.