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Among the many varieties of oil, Suillus flavidus, also known as the marsh oiler, or yellowish, is undeservedly deprived of attention. Although it does not enjoy the popularity of its related species, the gastronomic qualities of Suillus flavidus are quite capable of placing it on a par with the most delicious representatives of the mushroom kingdom.
What does a marsh butterdish mushroom look like
This swamp native belongs to the tubular mushrooms of the Maslenkovye family. Despite the fact that they are not considered to be “noble” mushrooms, which are not ashamed to boast to experienced mushroom pickers, marsh butterflies are still worthy of recognition. In the photo below, you can appreciate these representatives of the genus Suillus.
Cap Description
The cap of the marsh oiler is relatively small for specimens of its genus: its size varies from 4 to 8 cm, depending on age. However, it does not differ in thickness, and, like other representatives of the genus Suillus, is covered with characteristic oily secretions.
The shape of the cap of the bog fungus also changes in accordance with the stages of development of the organism. In young specimens, it is hemispherical, but as it grows, it flattens out, acquires a small tubercle in its upper part and slightly stretches closer to the stem.
The cap of the marsh oiler, as seen in the photo, has a discreet color, in which yellowish hues predominate. For this feature, the species received one of its names – a yellowish oiler. However, the color palette of the hat is not limited to yellow. Often there are specimens whose yellowish color is combined with beige, grayish or pale green tones.
The tubular layer of the cap of the marsh oiler is quite fragile. Its distinctive feature is rather small pores, the color of which varies from lemon and the same yellowish to ocher.
The dense pulp of the yellowish oiler does not have a pronounced odor and does not emit milky juice. The section of the marsh representative of the Maslenkovye family has a pale pink color.
Description of the leg
The stem of Suillus flavidus is quite strong and has a cylindrical, slightly curved shape. Its thickness is 0,3 – 0,5 cm, and in length it can reach 6 – 7 cm. young marsh butterflies when the cap is detached from the stem during growth. The stem itself has a yellowish color, which, below the ring, turns into a yellow-brown hue.
Other features of the marsh oiler include the elliptical shape of the spores and the coffee-yellow color of the spore powder.
Is the swamp oiler edible or not
Despite their inconspicuous appearance, yellowish butterflies are edible mushrooms. They are edible in almost any form. These swamp mushrooms can be eaten raw or pickled, and are great for frying and drying. Thanks to their juicy pulp, which has a pleasant taste, these mushrooms are able to give novelty to many familiar dishes: from salads and aspic to soups and pastries.
Where and how does the swamp oiler grow
As you might guess from the name, the swamp oiler grows mainly in swampy places, singly or in small groups. Suillus flavidus can be found in swampy pine forests, river floodplains or ditches, where it hides among mosses, successfully blending into its surroundings. The best time to collect yellowish oil is considered the period from late August to early October. True, this swamp variety is found quite rarely, despite the wide distribution area. It includes many European countries of the temperate climate zone, such as Poland, Lithuania, France, Romania and most of Our Country, including Siberia.
Those who are still lucky enough to stumble upon this species should remember a few simple rules that will allow you to collect the most delicious specimens without harming yourself and the environment:
- Preference should be given to young marsh mushrooms, the cap of which in girth does not exceed 5 cm. Older natives of the genus Suillus flavidus become tough and lose their delicate taste.
- It is not recommended to collect marsh butterflies if the weather has been dry for several days in a row or there have been continuous rains.
- Since marsh butterflies tend to accumulate toxic substances in large quantities, they should not be collected near industrial areas, along roadsides or along the banks of polluted rivers.
- When collecting Suillus flavidus, in no case should they be pulled out of the soil so as not to damage the mycelium. It is better to cut the swamp crop with a sharp knife just above ground level.
In addition to these recommendations, for your own safety, you must avoid inedible representatives of the mushroom kingdom, which look like a yellowish butter dish.
Twins of the swamp oiler and their differences
The yellowish oiler has no poisonous counterparts and bears little resemblance to other species of the oiler family. However, it can be confused with the inedible pepper mushroom Chalcíporus piperátus. It is also called pepper butter, although it belongs to a different family. This reddish-brown representative of the Boletovs with a glossy non-sticky hat up to 7 cm in diameter grows mainly under pines, less often in spruce forests. Its tubular layer has a brown color, and a thin leg reaches 10 cm in height. The flesh of Chalcíporus piperatus tastes like hot peppers. And although this false butter dish is not poisonous, the bitterness of even one pepper mushroom can spoil any recipe.
Remotely reminiscent of a swamp butter dish is its Siberian counterpart – Suillus sibirikus. It is considered conditionally edible, since this species can only be consumed after peeling and 20 minutes of processing. The convex cap of the Siberian representative is colored in yellow-brown or tobacco-olive tones and grows up to 10 cm. Its slippery yellow flesh does not change color when cut. The stem of the mushroom, also yellowish, reaches a height of 8 cm. It is somewhat thicker than that of the marsh variety, up to 1–1,5 cm in girth, and is covered with red spots.
Conclusion
Although the swamp butter dish is quite inconspicuous, it definitely deserves the attention of mushroom pickers. Its pleasant taste, dense texture, and versatility of use will appeal to many connoisseurs of the gifts of the forest.
