Xerula root (Xerula radicata)
- Division: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Physalacriaceae (Physalacriae)
- Genus: Hymenopellis (Gymenopellis)
- Type: Hymenopellis radicata (Xerula root)
- Udemansiella root
- Money root
- Collibia caudate
Current title – (according to Species of Fungi).
Xerula Root attracts attention immediately, it is able to surprise with its appearance and is a very special look.
Hat: 2-8 cm in diameter. But, because of the very high stem, it seems that the hat is much smaller. At a young age, it has the shape of a hemisphere, in the process of maturation it gradually opens up and becomes almost prostrate, while maintaining a conspicuous tubercle in the center. The surface of the cap is moderately mucous with pronounced radial wrinkles. The color is changeable, from olive, grayish brown, to dirty yellow.
Pulp: light, thin, watery, without much taste and smell.
Records: moderately sparse, grown in places in youth, then become free. The color of the plates as the mushroom matures ranges from white to grayish-cream.
Spore powder: white
Leg: in length reaches up to 20 cm, 0,5-1 cm thick. The leg is deeply, almost 15 cm, immersed in the soil, often twisted, has a specific rhizome. The color of the stem ranges from brown at the bottom to almost white at its base. The flesh of the leg is fibrous.
Spread: Xerula root occurs from mid to late July. Sometimes it comes across until the end of September in various forests. Prefers tree roots and heavily rotted wood remains. Due to the long stem, the fungus is formed deep underground and only partially crawls out to the surface.
Similarity: The appearance of the fungus is rather unusual, and the characteristic rhizome process does not allow Oudemansiella radicata to be mistaken for any other species. Oudemansiella root is easy to identify due to its lean structure, high growth and powerful root system. It looks like Xerula long-legged, but the latter has a velvety hat, has pubescence.
Edibility: In principle, the Xerula root mushroom is considered edible. Some sources claim that the mushroom contains some healing substances. This mushroom can be safely eaten.