Horny Oyster - description of where the poisonousness of the fungus grows

Horned oyster, or in Latin pleurotus cornucopiae, belongs to the Oysterovye mushroom family. This unusual name oyster mushroom received due to its horn-like shape, which resembles a curved shepherd's horn. The mushroom is considered edible and has been cultivated for a long period.

Currently, these mushrooms are particularly popular among mushroom pickers. In pre-revolutionary times, this fungus was known in Russia under the unusual name of "Tiger". On the territory of Ukraine, the horned oyster worn the name "glue", and in the Caucasus - "karchik".

Appearance and characteristics of the oyster mushroom

The horned oyster differs from other relatives with its funnel-shaped and slightly elongated cap. Sometimes the roundness of the cap may be linguistic or leafy.In this case, the edges of the cap are slightly curved upward, and the surface itself has a smooth structure. In old mushrooms, curvature is almost invisible. The average size of a mushroom cap can reach from 3 to 9 centimeters in diameter. Sometimes mushroom pickers meet larger mushrooms, whose caps reach 12 cm.

The color of the fungus primarily speaks about the age of the oyster mushroom, as well as about where it grows and in what conditions. Young mushrooms differ from mature relatives in white or grayish skin color. But more mature oyster mushrooms may have a brownish color. In the place of the formation of the horn, the peel of the fungus may have a lilac color.

Oyster mushroom stem can grow from 2 to 6 cm in length, while the width can reach up to 1.5 cm. Sometimes it can stretch up to 8 cm in length. Oyster mushroom stem grows in the center, sometimes located on the side, sometimes a little narrowed towards the base. Oyster mushroom has white color, sometimes has a characteristic sand color. If we compare the horned oyster mushroom with other members of the horned family, then the first leg is most clearly expressed.

The inside of the oyster mushroom has an elastic white flesh, with a thin core.When the fungus matures, the flesh becomes stiff to the touch. The taste and smell of oyster mushroom is not very pronounced, but its pulp has a mealy taste.

The edibility of the oyster mushroom

Horned oyster mushroom is considered an edible specimen among other members of the mushroom kingdom. Mushroom pickers classify it in 3-4 categories according to the edibility classification.

Fans of mushrooms are wonderful taste of oyster mushroom. It can be stewed, fried, pickled and even salted - nothing will spoil its aromatic, bread flavor. Often the oyster mushroom is dried and then powder is made from it. In the ground form, it has a characteristic rye flavor, which makes the flavor special. Taste oyster mushroom goes well with meat and game.

Note! Before serving, the oyster mushroom should be subjected to prolonged heat treatment in order to destroy the substance chitin contained in the mushroom. This is mostly true for mature mushrooms. But the younger oyster mushrooms enough to boil just 20 minutes in the water.

Horned oyster mushrooms are very popular in gastronomy.Today, mushrooms are artificially cultivated on mushroom plantations. They love and grow oyster mushroom not only in Russia, but also in other regions. In addition, it is widely used for medical purposes. That is why oyster mushroom is an excellent instance for mushroom hunting in the forest.

Fortunately, the horned oyster mushroom has absolutely no poisonous relatives, so it will be much easier for inexperienced mushroom pickers to search for it. Fans of mushrooms can come across perhaps to its close counterparts - the oyster mushroom pulmonary or the autumn oyster mushroom, however these two specimens differ from the hornlike darker brown cap.

Where and when grows oyster mushroom

Despite the fact that carob oyster mushrooms are widely cultivated and artificially grown in specially equipped places, mushroom pickers can also meet them in the wild. It is better to collect oyster mushrooms from late spring to mid-autumn. Usually, mushroom pickers go in search of oyster mushrooms as early as May.

These mushrooms grow in the steppes and in the forest-steppe zone on the territory of Ukraine and Russia, and the oyster mushroom is also widespread in the Caucasus, in China and Japan.Mostly this specimen loves to grow in deciduous forests, often settles on dead trees and stumps. Mushroom pickers can easily stumble upon an oyster mushroom on an oak, maple or elm trunk. These mushrooms like to settle in impassable places: in thickets and among densely growing trees.

Oyster mushroom grows quite abundantly, usually settles in forest-steppe plots by a large group of relatives from 7 to 15 mushrooms per place. If the mushroom picker manages to stumble upon one such mushroom family, then you can immediately collect up to one kilogram of mushrooms in a basket at a time. However, the search for oyster mushrooms is often hampered by the fact that these mushrooms prefer to settle in hard-to-reach places: among shrubs and felts.

Video: horned oyster mushroom (Pleurotus cornucopiae)