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Postia bluish-gray is a mushroom of the Fomitopsis family, which mainly grows on dead coniferous trees. It is important to figure out how it looks, where you can see whether it is worth eating or not, what measures should be taken in case of poisoning and how to provide first aid to the victim. Other names for bluish-gray postia are gray-blue postia, bluish-gray postia, bluish-gray oligoporus.
Where the bluish-gray posts grow
Postii bluish-gray – a family of mushrooms that grow on coniferous trees and larches. Often they can be seen on deadwood, fallen branches and in the forest. Unlike other varieties, they cause a brown rot. They grow in summer and autumn from July to November on such trees:
- willow;
- alder;
- hazel;
- beech;
- fir;
- spruce;
- larch.
They mostly settle on dead trees and branches in groups. Unlike other plants and mushrooms, they have unusual characteristics.
What do bluish-gray postia look like?
Bluish-gray posts – mushrooms with hats and legs. The legs may not be noticeable, but they are always present. The hat has a half-shaped shape, it is fleshy and soft. It reaches a length of 3 to 6 cm. It often grows together with the leg as it develops.
Mushrooms are white, at the corners of the cap are painted in blue, green or yellowish colors. If you strongly squeeze the fruiting body, then the pulp will change color.
Immature species have a bristly edge. As it develops, the edge is exposed, the skin becomes smooth. The taste is fresh. The pulp smells pleasant, like a white mushroom or boletus. The structure under the cap is tubular, gray, blue or white, depending on maturity (the color becomes brighter with age). The pores are angular, irregular in shape. The length of the hymenophore is large, the surface is jagged with jagged edges, it has a pleasant mushroom aroma.
Is it possible to eat bluish-gray postia
Postii are mushrooms, which many reference books classify as inedible. However, they do not contain toxic and poisonous substances. The flesh is tough and, when cooked properly, mushrooms may not be dangerous. But experienced mushroom pickers do not recommend risking health, and are advised to completely abandon the use.
How to distinguish bluish-gray postia
There are three types of postia: astringent, bluish-gray, and flat tinder fungi. Astringents have large white caps. An important feature is a large accumulation of water and bubbles on the surface, “weeping”. Similar in appearance to fissured Aurantioporus from the Boletov family, however, they have a more rounded and oblong shape. Compared to other species, mushrooms of this type have a softer structure, a sharp and rich mushroom aroma. The astringent variety is more often seen on apple trees with aspens. Formed on fallen branches, causes rot.
The tinder fungus is flat – a white mushroom with a vague, furrowed hat. Like other species, he loves wood, in particular larch. Unlike postia, it has no legs and a bluish tint. It also causes white rot on plants. Does not grow in October and April.
Postia bluish-gray – a mushroom with a stem, half cap, soft flesh and blue spots. A young mushroom has a lowered hat, older specimens are rounded. In color it even approaches green and yellow.
Symptoms of poisoning
Like all non-edible and semi-edible mushrooms, the bluish and gray hues can cause severe poisoning with nausea and vomiting. As symptoms, dizziness, pain in the temples, weakness are noted. In some cases, a high temperature and a severe allergic reaction may appear in the form of redness, peeling of the skin and burns of the mucous membrane. Fatal outcome is possible in children under 5 years of age when consumed in large quantities.
First aid for poisoning
In case of poisoning, be sure to call an ambulance or go to the hospital yourself. Before the doctor arrives, it is necessary to lie in bed and do a gastric lavage with plenty of drink and induce vomiting or laxative with an enema. You should also stop taking other medications to avoid overdose before medical intervention. In order for the doctor to clarify the diagnosis upon arrival, all mushrooms must be preserved. Only in this case, a quick cure is possible.
Conclusion
Postia bluish-gray is an inedible mushroom with a rigid structure. The mushroom has a beautiful relief surface with a blue border and grows on coniferous trees in a forest belt. It differs from other mushrooms in its unusual color and the presence of a small stalk.
