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The differences between the satanic mushroom and the dubovik are quite obvious, but there are enough similar features in the two types of mushrooms. In order not to make a dangerous mistake, you need to carefully study the descriptions and photographs of both mushrooms, as well as remember the differences.
Distinctive features of oak
Dubovik is an edible representative of the gifts of the forest with good taste, nutritional value is not much inferior to white. It grows mainly in mixed and deciduous forests near oaks, lindens and other trees; it is most abundant from August to October.
The mushroom is quite large in size – its cap can reach 20 cm in diameter, in young fruiting bodies it is convex and half spherical, in adults it straightens out and takes on a pillow-like shape. The cap is variable in color, yellowish-brown, ocher or brown-gray, and the shades can turn one into another even in one fruiting body. The lower layer is tubular, the tubules are light ocher in color at a young age and dirty olive in old fruiting bodies.
The leg of the dubovik is dense, strong, up to 15 cm in height, reaches 3 cm in girth, and thickening is noticeable in its lower part. The color of the leg is yellowish closer to the cap and darker below, on its surface you can see a well-defined dark mesh.
Distinctive features of the satanic mushroom
The inedible satanic mushroom usually grows in the same places as the edible oak tree. You can meet him on calcareous soils in deciduous and mixed forests, he is often located next to oaks, lindens, beeches and other trees. The satanic mushroom bears fruit at the same time as the oak tree – the most active growth occurs at the end of August and September.
The satanic mushroom belongs to the category of large ones, its cap can reach 20-25 cm in diameter. In shape, it is pillow-shaped in adult mushrooms and convex in young fruiting bodies, and in color it is ocher-white, grayish, gray-olive, lead-gray or slightly pinkish. The surface of the cap is smooth, the underside is covered with tubes, at a young age they are yellow, but in old fruiting bodies they become red.
The leg of the satanic mushroom is massive and very dense, up to 6 cm in diameter and up to 10 cm in height. In shape, it is club-shaped, with a thickening closer to the surface of the earth, and in color – yellow with a bright red large mesh. Sometimes the mesh on the leg can be a lighter shade – olive or even whitish.
The satanic mushroom is not only inedible, but also highly poisonous. Accidentally eating only about 50 g of pulp can lead to serious consequences – toxic damage to the liver and central nervous system.
How to distinguish a satanic mushroom from a dubovik
Dubovik and the poisonous satanic mushroom have a strong similarity, under certain conditions it is rather difficult to distinguish between them. The species are similar in size and shape of caps and legs, have a similar color, and turn blue from contact with air in the same way.
But since a mistake in the collection and preparation can lead to fatal consequences, even death, it is necessary to distinguish between fruiting bodies. This can be done by several differences between the porcini mushroom and the satanic one.
How to distinguish a tannery from a satanic mushroom by a reaction to damage
Both the satanic mushroom and the edible tasty dubovik acquire a blue tint on the cut, this quality is usually attributed to similar features. However, there is also a difference here.
If you press on the dubovik or cut its hat, then the flesh will turn blue almost instantly, which is why the variety bears the unofficial name “bruise”. But the satanic mushroom, when damaged, does not immediately turn blue – at first its flesh acquires a reddish color, and only then slowly turns blue.
How to distinguish a dubovik from a satanic mushroom by the color of the pulp
Another difference lies in the color of the fresh pulp that has not had time to turn blue. On a break, the dubovik will turn out to be a pale yellow, lemon color. In poisonous fruit bodies, the flesh is light, almost white, it may seem even more attractive, but you should not be deceived by a pleasant color.
How to distinguish a satanic mushroom from a boletus by the color of the hat
The color of the skin on the cap surface of the two varieties can be very similar. However, there is still a difference in color. In the oak tree, the shade of the hat is rather olive, with orange notes, while in the satanic mushroom, the characteristic gray color always prevails.
First aid for poisoning with a satanic mushroom
Despite all efforts, sometimes the dubovik is still confused with the satanic mushroom and the poisonous pulp is eaten. This is very dangerous for human health – toxic substances in the composition of the devil’s mushroom can severely affect the internal organs and nervous system. If too much poisonous pulp is consumed, even a fatal outcome is possible if the poisoned person decides not to see a doctor.
The first symptoms of poisoning usually occur 3-5 hours after ingestion of a toxic product. The terms strongly depend on the state of health and the characteristics of the body, sometimes alarming signs may appear after 1,5 hours, sometimes intoxication occurs after 8 hours or more.
Symptoms of poisoning with a satanic mushroom are:
- pain in the stomach and intestines;
- nausea and vomiting;
- increased gas formation and diarrhea;
- noticeable weakness and dizziness;
- headache and fever;
- sweating and chills;
- feeling short of breath and tachycardia.
Since symptoms increase over time, it is important to call a doctor immediately when the first signs of intoxication appear. In anticipation of his arrival, it is necessary to take a number of measures that can slow down the development of poisoning:
- First of all, you need to induce vomiting – this will allow you to remove some of the toxins from the body that have not yet had time to be absorbed into the mucous membranes. It is necessary to drink at least 5 glasses of water in a row, or about 2 liters, and then forcibly clear the stomach. It is advisable to repeat the procedure 2-3 times until the remains of the fungi leave the body entirely.
- If the poisonous mushroom pulp has been eaten for quite some time, you should drink a strong, fast-acting laxative or even give a cleansing enema. This will remove some of the toxins from the intestines.
- While waiting for the arrival of the doctor, you need to drink plenty of water, in small portions, but often. Due to diarrhea and constant vomiting, the body rapidly loses fluid, and dehydration due to poisoning is a particular health hazard.
- It is best to wait for the doctor while sitting or lying down, without making sudden movements. It is strictly forbidden to go out and even more so go to work, despite feeling unwell.
Tips from experienced mushroom pickers
When collecting edible oak trees, mushroom pickers are advised to remember a few rules:
- If the species affiliation of the find is in doubt, it is better to bypass it and not risk it. The consequences of poisoning with a satanic mushroom are too serious to rely on luck when eating mushroom pulp.
- When trying to tell the difference between the oak tree and the poisonous satanic mushroom, it is best to rely on the change in color of the flesh when cut. Other differences may be less noticeable and not as clear cut.
- Not all satanic mushrooms emit an unpleasant aroma of rotten onions. Young fruiting bodies can smell very pleasant, so smell is also not a reliable enough distinction.
In photographs, the oak tree and the satanic mushroom may seem completely different from each other. You should not be deceived by this, since differences in appearance are highly dependent on growing conditions and even on lighting. In the forest, the differences often become less obvious and the similarities very strong.
Conclusion
The differences between a satanic mushroom and a dubovik are easy to remember, but it is important to correctly apply knowledge in practice. First of all, you need to look at the rate of blueness of the pulp on the cut, and if the forest find is still in doubt, it is better to leave it in the forest and not put it in a basket.
