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Among all mushrooms, snow-white dung beetle has a very unusual appearance and color. Almost every mushroom picker has seen him. And, of course, he was interested in whether it can be eaten. Snow-white dung beetle (lat. Coprinopsisnivea), which cannot be confused with white dung beetle (lat. Coprinuscomatus), is inedible. It is forbidden to eat it, since toxic substances are present in the composition of the fruiting body.
Where does snow-white dung beetle grows
He prefers well-moistened areas with loose soil rich in organic matter. Grows on or near horse manure. It can be found in meadows and pastures, in old greenhouses, basements, overgrown flower beds and lawns. It grows even near high-rise buildings and in stadiums. The main condition is that there is sunlight, interspersed with a shadow, and enough moisture.
It has received wide distribution throughout the Eurasian continent, you can also find it in North America, Africa and Australia.
By its nature, snow-white dung beetle is a saprophyte. Favorite food sources are substances found in rotten wood, humus and other waste. Often it can be seen near manure heaps and compost pits. It is for this feature that the fungus received such an unusual name.
What does a snow-white dung beetle look like
The hat resembles a spindle in shape and is covered with thin scales. Visually, they look like a thick fringe. The average cap size is 3-5cm. In a mature specimen, it eventually becomes like a bell. Its color is white with powdery coating.
When the snow-white dung beetle grows old, special substances begin to be actively produced that make the hat darker. This happens gradually. At first, the edges change color, and then the whole hat slowly acquires an inky hue. The flesh remains white. It does not have a specific smell. The plates also change their color over time: from a pale pink hue to almost black. The stem is cylindrical, 5-8 cm long and 1-3 mm in diameter, white, powdery, swollen at the base. Inside it is hollow, and outside it is velvety to the touch.
The period of appearance of these mushrooms is quite long – from May to October. Especially a lot of them appear after rain, grow in groups.
Is it possible to eat snow-white dung beetle
Snow-white dung beetles the group of inedible mushrooms. And although he beckons with his appearance, it is better to bypass him. And all this is due to the presence of tetramethylthiuram disulfide in the composition. This highly toxic substance can lead to negative consequences. Also, according to studies, it was proved that it is the snow-white look that is a hallucinogen.
In case of poisoning, the following symptoms may occur:
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- strong thirst;
- diarrhea;
- abdominal pain.
These are the first signs in which you should immediately consult a doctor.
Similar species
The snow-white dung beetle has no twins. However, there are similar species with which it can be confused due to inexperience.
The following mushrooms resemble the snow-white appearance:
- The dung beetle is flickering. He has an egg-shaped hat, dotted with thin grooves. It is covered with beige-brown scales. The size of the cap is from 1 to 4 cm. You can meet this variety near dry rotten stumps. It is classified as a conditionally edible mushroom of the 4th category. Only young specimens can be eaten. When they begin to darken even a little, they become poisonous to the body.
- Willow dung beetle. The color is gray, only on the tops there are small brownish spots. The cap has pronounced grooves. Its size is from 3 to 7 cm. The edges are jagged, in the old ones they are split. Young specimens are covered with white bloom. Plates are fragile. The young ones are white, the old ones are dark. The leg can reach 10 cm, at the base it is expanded, smooth to the touch. This species is inedible.
- The dung beetle is resinous. It is distinguished by an egg-shaped hat, which later takes on the appearance of a summer panama hat. Its diameter in an adult specimen can reach 10 cm. In a young mushroom, it is covered with a white veil; as it grows, it breaks into separate scales. The surface itself is dark, almost black. The leg has a light color and is covered with a specific coating. Its shape is cylindrical, the top is narrower than the bottom. Hollow in the middle. In height, the leg can reach 20 cm. A sharp unpleasant odor emanates from the fungus. Cannot be eaten.
- The dung beetle is folded. The surface of the hat is gathered into small folds (like a pleated skirt). Its surface is light brown in young specimens, and grayish brown in older specimens. This variety has a very thin cap. Over time, it opens and becomes like an umbrella. The leg in height can reach 8 cm, while its diameter does not exceed 2 mm. This species is inedible and “lives” only a day.
- The dung beetle is grey. The cap is fibrous, the scales have a grayish tint. They quickly darken and blur. In young specimens, the cap is ovoid, in old specimens it is broadly bell-shaped with cracked edges. The plates are wide white, as the fungus matures, they change color from white to black. The leg is hollow, white, brown at the base, can reach a height of 20 cm. This species is conditionally edible.
Conclusion
The snow-white dung beetle has an unusual appearance and a strange name. Despite its original appearance, it is unsuitable for food. The use of this mushroom is fraught with negative consequences, therefore, with a quiet hunt, you should bypass it. But everything in nature is interconnected, so this species is also an important link in the ecosystem.
