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Sky blue stropharia is a conditionally edible species with an unusual, bright color. Distributed in deciduous forests throughout Our Country. Grows singly or in small groups. Can be found from August to early November. To recognize this representative of the mushroom kingdom, you need to know the external characteristics and be able to distinguish them from poisonous counterparts.
What does sky blue stropharia look like
Sky blue stropharia is a beautiful representative of the Strophariaceae family. Since the species has a bright, unusual appearance, it is very difficult to confuse it with other species of the mushroom kingdom.
Cap Description
A small cap of sky-blue stropharia with a diameter of up to 8 cm, at an early age has a cone-shaped shape, becomes curved over time. The surface is shiny, slimy, painted in a sky-emerald color. As it grows, the color fades, and whitish flakes appear on the edges from the bedspread, which covered the lamellar layer at a young age. Reproduction of sky blue stropharia occurs by microscopic brown spores, which are in a dark lilac powder.
Description of the leg
The straight oval leg has a fibrous pulp and grows up to 10 cm. In young specimens, the upper part is surrounded by a ring, which disappears with age. The surface is covered with scaly flakes of light gray or sky-green color. Dirty white flesh without a pronounced taste and smell.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Sky blue stropharia is classified as edibility group 4. The harvested crop is thoroughly washed before use and boiled in salted water for 20-30 minutes. Then they can be fried, stewed or preserved for the winter.
But since this specimen has no smell and taste, it has not found wide application in cooking. Also, some sources claim that the fruiting body contains hallucinogenic substances, so mushrooms are not recommended for pregnant women and children under 12 years of age.
Interesting facts about sky blue stropharia:
- This representative of the forest kingdom is collected only in Our Country and the CIS countries; in other states, the mushroom is considered poisonous.
- Excessive use causes visual hallucinations and nervous excitement.
- Hallucinogenic properties are so mild that for their appearance it is necessary to consume about 1000 g of fresh mushrooms.
Where and how to grow
Sky blue stropharia grows singly or in small groups from July to October. Likes moist soil or rotting grass substrate, as well as damp rainy weather. It can be found in parks, along roadsides and in livestock areas.
Twins and their differences
Sky blue stropharia, like any forest dweller, has edible and inedible counterparts:
- blue green – the species is edible, prefers mixed forests. You can recognize it by a lighter hat and a small, powerful leg. The pulp without a pronounced mushroom taste, with mechanical damage, acquires a lemon color. It bears fruit throughout the warm period.
- crowned – an inedible mushroom with a whitish dense pulp and a rare taste. This specimen grows on plains or small hills in single specimens. The mushroom has one feature – a change in the color of the cap (from light lemon to dark yellow) and plates (from light purple to black). If the mushroom somehow got into the basket, and then onto the table, then mild food poisoning can occur. In order to help the victim in a timely manner, it is necessary to pay attention to signs of intoxication (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cold sticky sweat, palpitations).
Conclusion
Stropharia sky blue is an edible species that prefers to grow in moist soil, among spruce and deciduous trees. Caps of young mushrooms are used for food, after boiling they are fried, stewed and harvested for the winter. In order not to make a mistake during the mushroom collection, you must first familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the species from photos and videos.