Why butterflies and similar mushrooms turn blue on the cut, when cleaning: reasons

Mushroom poisoning is a rather unpleasant phenomenon, in some cases deadly. That is why many even experienced mushroom pickers are suspicious of any non-standard phenomena associated with their collection. One of these phenomena is the blueing of the place of damage or fracture of the fruiting bodies. Quite often, mushrooms that look like butter mushrooms turn blue on the cut. Next, it will be considered whether this is the norm and whether it poses a danger to the mushroom picker.

Do butterflies turn blue on the cut

The question of whether Maslenkovye can turn blue in places of damage worries many mushroom pickers. But, in general, a change in the color of the fruiting body during damage is characteristic of almost all representatives of the mushroom kingdom, without exception. It’s just that in some species it is almost imperceptible, in others the color may be slightly different, and in others (in particular, representatives of the Boletov family) it can manifest itself especially strongly.

Below is a photo illustrating this phenomenon:

Why do butterflies turn blue on the cut

The reason for the discoloration of the stem or cap in case of damage (whether it is a cut or the result of cleaning) is an oxidative chemical reaction of the juices of the fruiting body and oxygen contained in the air.

The cut breaks the tightness of the leg, and the juices react with atmospheric oxygen. This property is inherent in all mushrooms without exception.

What types of oils turn blue when cut

There are several types of Maslenkovs, the damage site of which becomes blue:

1. Gray larch or blue. Its distinctive feature is an almost flat hat. Its surface is light brown. The leg after the cut should turn blue, which is reflected in its name. Nevertheless, it belongs to the edible (albeit category 3), it is often eaten in a salty form.

   

2. Yellow-brown. His hat has a matching color. It is inedible, although not poisonous.

   

3. Pepper. It differs from the usual representatives of the Boletovs in the absence of a ring and a reddish hymenophore. Also conditionally edible, but non-poisonous. Due to its overly spicy taste, it is rarely used as an additive similar in action to spices.

   

What other mushroom, similar to a butter dish, turns blue on the cut

Not only mushrooms such as boletus turn blue when cut. There are several types that also have a similar property:

1. The bruise is common. Belongs to the genus Gyroporus of the Boletov family. It has a large hat with a diameter of more than 15 cm. The leg is white, the hat is beige.

   

2. Flywheel yellow-brown. Conditionally edible, outwardly similar to the Maslenkovs. If the color change occurred almost immediately after the break, it is most likely a flywheel. A distinctive feature – the hat is quite thick. In addition, this species, when cooked, paints all the “neighbors” in red.

   

3. Dubovyk A large olive-brown representative of the boletus genus. It is found mainly in oak groves.

   

4. Polish mushroom. Also a representative of boletus. Quite large, has a large and fleshy hemispherical hat. It is considered very tasty, almost a delicacy dish. It occurs in both coniferous and deciduous forests.

   

5. Ginger. Also refers to the “blue”, but there is no doubt about its edibility.

   

6. Satanic mushroom. It has a squat and thick body with a red leg and a white cap. Changes color at the site of damage, however, it is difficult to confuse it with any edible representative due to its characteristic appearance.

   

As can be seen from the description, a change in color at the site of damage is characteristic of a fairly large number of a wide variety of species, and there is nothing dangerous in this phenomenon.

Is it worth worrying if the oiler mushroom turns blue when cut

If the boletus oils turn blue, there is no danger in this. This property is characteristic not only for representatives of this genus, but also for many others that have the most diverse origin and growth conditions.

Conclusion

The phenomenon when mushrooms, similar to butter mushrooms, turn blue on the cut, is quite normal and natural. This is a common reaction between mushroom juice and oxygen. This phenomenon cannot be attributed to a sign of toxicity, since it is characteristic of representatives of various genera of the mushroom kingdom. If the color changes during the collection or cleaning of the oilers, you do not need to throw it away and rinse the tool. If this specimen has been unambiguously identified as edible, it can be safely eaten.