White loader (Russula delica) photo and description

White podgruzdok (Russula delica)

This mushroom is included in the genus Russula, belongs to the Russula family. Sometimes such a mushroom is called “Dry milk mushroom”, “Cracker”. This one is due to the fact that, like two drops of water, it looks like an ordinary breast, but unlike it, it has only a dry hat.

White podgrudok refers to large mushrooms. There are specimens reaching the size of a hat and up to thirty centimeters in diameter (although they are quite rare). It has a flat-convex shape, in the center – a characteristic hole. The edges of the cap are slightly curved. Young mushrooms of this species have a predominantly white hat. At times, a rusty coating may appear on the hat. But the old loaders are always only brown.

The cap of this mushroom changes its appearance, color, depending on the age of the mushroom. The load is white. If the mushroom is young, then the cap is convex, and the edges are wrapped. It is also characterized as “weak felt”. Further, the hat begins to become covered with spots: at first an obscure, yellowish color, and then – ocher-rusty. A huge amount of earth, dirt, debris sticks to the hat, because of which it additionally changes its color.

The plates of the fungus are thin, narrow, usually white. At times they are turquoise or greenish-blue. It is easy to see if the hat is tilted a little.

The white podgruzdok is distinguished by its leg. It is strong, white, like a hat. It is decorated with oblong brown spots. Wide below, it gradually narrows upward.

White podgrudok has a white, juicy pulp that emits a pleasant strong aroma of mushrooms. The spore powder of such a fungus has a white, occasionally creamy hue.

The mushroom is edible. But the taste is pretty mediocre. It should be used salted and only after thorough boiling – at least fifteen or even twenty minutes. It can be salted and dry.

The mushroom grows from mid-summer to early October. Its habitat is birch, aspen, oak forests, mixed forests. Much less common in coniferous forests. In general, this is a fairly common type of fungus throughout Eurasia.

Similar species

• Short-legged russula (Russula brevipes) is common in North America.
• Russula chlorine-like or greenish podgruzok (Russula chloroides) – lives in shady forests, often it is included in the type of podgruzok. It has bluish-green plates.
• Russula is falsely luxurious – it grows under oaks, it is distinguished by a yellow hat.
• Milky – has milky juice.

White diaper mushroom looks like an edible violin. It differs from it in the absence of white juice, bluish-green plates. The fungus differs from the edible pepper mushroom in more frequent small plates, and it also does not have milky juice.