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Scaly whip (Pluteus ephebeus) is an inedible mushroom of the Pluteev family, the genus Plyutei. In Vasser’s system, S.P., the species is assigned to the Hispidoderma section, in E. Wellinga’s system to the Villosi section. From the Latin name of the genus “Pluteus” is translated as “shield”. Other synonyms for the fungus are youthful and lepiot-like spit. Not common in forests. Scaly whip grows mainly on dead decaying wood and on soils rich in old woody residues.
What does a scaly whip look like
The fruiting body of the scaly scourge consists of a stem and a cap. It differs from other representatives of the genus in smaller size and pronounced scaly. The pulp of the fungus is whitish in color, the spores are smooth – broadly ellipsoid, ellipsoid or ovoid in shape. Disputable pink powder. The plates are quite wide. Their location is free, dense. The color is pinkish-gray at the beginning of growth. In a more mature stage – pink, with whitish edges.
Cap Description
The cap of the scaly whip is fleshy, fibrous, rather thick, covered with radial cracks. The skin hyphae contain a brown enzyme. The color of the cap varies from grayish to brown. It separates from the leg quite easily.
The shape of the cap varies somewhat – it can be semi-circular or convex.
In the process of growth, it becomes prostrate, sometimes with upturned edges, with a clearly defined bulge in the middle. In the center are small pressed scales. Hat circumference – 30-100 mm.
Description of the leg
The leg is dense, brittle, smooth to the touch, with a characteristic sheen. Cylindrical, 40-100 mm high, 40-70 mm thick. It grows in the center of the cap, there are no remains of the bedspread. At the base, a small tuber and fibrous grooves are clearly visible. The color of the legs is gray or white.
Where and how to grow
Meets mushroom pickers scaly scourge not too often. You can find it on the territory of the European part of Our Country, in particular, in the Rostov and Samara regions, as well as in the Far East and Primorsky Krai. It actively bears fruit from early August to mid-September in mixed deciduous plantations – plantings and forests. Often there is a scaly whip in the city – in the forest park zone. The place is chosen by mushrooms on dead wood residues, old stumps, fallen trees or directly on the ground.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Plyutei scaly belongs to the category of inedible mushrooms. The taste of the pulp of the scaly squash is astringent, tart. The smell is practically absent.
Twins and their differences
The twin of the scaly spit is the long-legged xerula (Xerula pudens) or the long-legged Gymnopus. This is a representative of the Physalacriaceae family (Physalacrium), the genus Xerula (Xerula). The mushroom is edible.
Distinctive characteristics of the fungus:
- long (up to 15 cm) and thin (less than 3 cm) leg;
- large hat (about 8-10 cm);
- plates adhering to the leg;
- color – dark gray or brown-lemon;
- good taste;
- pleasant aroma.
Conclusion
The scaly whip performs an important ecological function in the forest, consisting in the destruction of dead wood. The mushroom does not have excellent taste characteristics and useful properties, therefore it has not found wide application either in cooking or in medicine. It is of interest only as a little-known and little-studied representative of the mushroom kingdom.
