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Albatrellus blushing (Albatrellus subrubescens) belongs to the Albatrellaceae family and the genus Albatrellus. First described in 1940 by American mycologist William Murrill and classified as a blushing scootiger. In 1965, the Czech scientist Pousar named it Albatrellus similis.
The blushing Albatrellus is closest in DNA structure to the sheep Albatrellus, has a common ancestor with it.
Unlike other types of tinder fungus, these fruiting bodies have well-developed legs.
Where does reddening albatrellus grow?
Albatrellus blushing appears in the middle of summer and continues to grow until the first frost. He loves dead, overripe wood, coniferous waste, fallen trees, soil covered with small woody remains, bark and cones. Grows in compact groups, from 4-5 to 10-15 specimens.
The mushroom can be found in the north of Europe and in its central part. In Our Country, this species is rare, growing mainly in Karelia and the Leningrad region. Prefers dry pine forests.
Sometimes small groups of these mushrooms are found in mixed pine-deciduous forests.
What does reddening albatrellus look like?
Young mushrooms have a spherical, domed cap. As it grows older, it straightens, becoming disc-shaped, often concave, in the form of a shallow plate with edges lowered by a rounded roller. The shape of the cap in mature specimens is uneven, folded-bumpy, corrugated, the edges can be lacy, indented with deep folds. Often there are radial cracks.
The hat is fleshy, dry, dull, covered with large scales, rough. Color irregular spots, from white and yellowish-cream to the color of baked milk and ocher-brown, often with a violet tint. Overgrown mushrooms may have an uneven dirty purple or dark brown color. Diameter from 3 to 7 cm, individual fruiting bodies grow up to 14,5 cm.
The hymenophore is tubular, strongly descending, with large angular pores. There are snow-white, cream and yellowish-light green hue. Light pink spots may appear. The pulp is dense, elastic, whitish-pink, odorless. Spore powder is creamy white.
Leg of irregular shape, often curved. It is located both in the center of the cap, and eccentrically or on the side. The surface is dry, scaly, with thin villi, the color coincides with the color of the hymenophore: white, cream, pinkish. Length from 1,8 to 8 cm, thickness up to 3 cm.
The color of the cap changes as it develops.
Doubles of blushing tinder
Albatrellus blushing can be confused with other members of its own species.
Sheep polypore (Albatrellus ovinus). Conditionally edible. It has greenish spots on the cap.
The fungus is included in the list of endangered species of the Moscow region
Albatrellus lilac (Albatrellus syringae). Conditionally edible. The spongy spore layer does not adhere to the stem. The pulp has a rich light yellow hue.
Concentric dark stripes may be visible on the cap
Albatrellus confluent (Albatrellus confluens). Conditionally edible. The fruit body is large, the caps grow up to 15 cm in diameter, smooth, without pronounced scales. Color creamy, sandy-ocher.
When dry, the flesh acquires a dirty reddish tint.
Is it possible to eat reddening albatrellus
The fruiting body is slightly poisonous, if the cooking technology is violated, it can cause indigestion and colic. The mushroom in Our Country is classified as an inedible species due to its bitter, aspen-like pulp. In Europe, this variety of tinder fungus is eaten.
Conclusion
Reddening albatrellus is a little-studied variety of tinder fungus from the genus Albatrellus. It grows mainly in Europe, where it is considered an edible mushroom with a special taste. In Our Country, it is classified as inedible species due to the rich bitterness that does not go away even with heat treatment. Slightly toxic, can cause intestinal colic. Interestingly, the word “albatrellus”, which gave the name to the genus, is translated from Italian as “boletus” or “boletus”.