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Pink-gray skeleton (lat. Skeletocutis carneogrisea) is a shapeless inedible mushroom that grows in large quantities on fallen trees. Very often, clusters of this species can be found next to Trihaptum fir. Inexperienced mushroom pickers will easily confuse them, however, this does not really matter – both varieties are unsuitable for human consumption.
What does skeletocutis pink-gray look like?
Fruiting bodies do not have a pronounced shape. Outwardly, they resemble open shells with jagged edges or dried twisted leaves.
This variety has no legs. The hat is rather thin, pale pink with an admixture of ocher tones. In old fruiting bodies, it darkens, acquiring a brown color. In young specimens, they are covered with a kind of fluff, which subsequently completely disappears. The cap diameter is on average 2-4 cm.
The thickness of the cap can reach 1-2 mm
Where and how to grow
On the territory of Our Country, this species is found almost everywhere, however, most often it can be found within the middle zone. Skeletocutis pink-gray settles mainly on fallen trees, preferring coniferous crops: spruce and pine. It is found much less frequently on hardwood trunks.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Skeletocutis pink-gray is classified as an inedible variety. Its pulp should not be eaten either fresh or after heat treatment.
Twins and their differences
Trihaptum fir (lat. Trichaptum abietinum) is one of the most common twins of the pink-gray skeleton. The main difference is the color of the cap – in Trihaptum it is brownish-lilac. It grows in dense clusters, which can be 20-30 cm wide, however, individual fruiting bodies grow only up to 2-3 cm in diameter. A false variety grows on dead wood and old rotten stumps.
Trihaptum fir is unsuitable for eating even after heat treatment or salting.
Sometimes the mushroom is covered with a thin layer of moss, usually closer to the base.
Another false subspecies is shapeless skeleton (lat. Skeletocutis amorpha). The difference is that the fused mass of twins is more homogeneous and resembles an outwardly viscous spot. The color is generally lighter, creamy-buff. The hymenophore is yellowish-orange. Old copies are painted in gray tones.
A false twin grows in coniferous forests, on fallen trunks. It is not used for food.
Young fruiting bodies of this twin can also coalesce into large shapeless masses.
Conclusion
Skeletocutis pink-gray is an inedible mushroom that should not be eaten in any form. Representatives similar to it also have no value from a culinary point of view.
