Contents
Tiger sawfly is a conditionally edible representative of the Polyporov family. This species is considered wood-destroying, it forms white rot on the trunks. It grows on rotten and fallen hardwood, bears fruit in May and November. Since the species has inedible counterparts, you need to familiarize yourself with the external description, view photos and videos before collecting.
Description tiger sawfly
Tiger sawfly is a saprophyte that decomposes dead wood. It belongs to the conditionally edible representatives of the mushroom kingdom, but it is important not to make a mistake during mushroom hunting due to the presence of similar species in it.
Cap Description
The hat of the tiger sawfly is convex, as it grows, it takes the form of a funnel, and the edges are tucked inward. The dry surface, up to 10 cm in diameter, is covered with a dirty whitish skin with dark brown scales. The spore layer is formed by thin narrow plates that have a dense film. Their edges are serrated, the color varies from cream to coffee. The pulp is dense and soft, with mechanical damage it acquires a reddish tint. As it grows, the film breaks through and descends in a ring onto the leg.
Description of the leg
A smooth or slightly curved leg grows up to 8 cm. The surface is white, covered with numerous dark scales. The pulp is dense, fibrous, with a pronounced mushroom taste and aroma.
Where and how to grow
Tiger sawfly is considered a forest orderly, as it settles on dry, rotting wood. As a result, the tree decomposes, turns into humus, thereby enriching the soil with useful microelements. It comes into fruiting 2 times a season: the first wave appears in May, the second – at the end of October. Tiger sawfly is distributed throughout Our Country, it can be found in large families in parks, squares, along roads, where deciduous trees have been cut down.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
This representative of the mushroom kingdom is considered conditionally edible, but since the tiger leaf is little known, he has few fans. Only the caps of young specimens are used for food, since in old mushrooms the fruiting body is hard, unsuitable for consumption. After a long boil, the harvested crop can be fried, stewed or harvested for the winter.
When hiking in the forest, you need to know the collection rules:
- mushroom hunting can be carried out far from the roads;
- collect on a clear day and in the morning;
- the cut is made with a sharp knife;
- if the mushroom gets out, it is necessary to sprinkle the place of growth with soil, leafy or woody substrate;
- the harvested crop is immediately processed.
Twins and their differences
Tiger sawfly, like any forest dweller, has its edible and inedible counterparts. These include:
- goblet – an inedible, but not poisonous specimen, with a large hat, red-cream color. In adults, the surface fades and becomes whitish. The shape changes from hemispherical to funnel-shaped. The pulp is elastic, elastic, exudes a delicate fruity aroma. They prefer to grow on dead wood, but they can also parasitize living wood, infecting the tree with white rot. It grows in large numbers in regions with a warm climate. Since this forest dweller fell in love with rodents, he does not have time to grow old.
- Scaly – belongs to the 4th group of edibility. After heat treatment, the harvested crop can be fried, boiled and canned. You can recognize it by a light gray or light brown hat and a thick, dense stem. The surface is dry, covered with dark scales. The flesh is light, with a pleasant mushroom aroma. Prefers to grow on stumps and coniferous deadwood. It can also be seen on telegraph poles and sleepers. Grows singly or in small groups. Fruiting occurs from July to September.
Conclusion
Tiger sawfly is a conditionally edible representative of the mushroom kingdom. Only the caps of young specimens are used for food. The fungus can be found on rotting wood from May until the first frost. Experienced mushroom pickers are advised to pass by unknown species, as inedible and poisonous ones can cause irreparable harm to the body.