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Albatrellus subrubescens belongs to the Albatrell family and the genus Albatrellus. First described in 1940 by the American mycologist William Murrill and classified as a blushing scooter. In 1965, the Czech scientist Pozar named it Albatrellus similis.
Albatrellus blushing is the closest in DNA structure to Albatrellus ovine, it has a common ancestor with it.
Unlike other species of tinder fungus, these fruiting bodies have well-developed legs.
Where does albatrellus blush grow
Albatrellus blushing appears in mid-summer and continues to grow until the first frost. He loves dead, overheating wood, coniferous waste, dead wood, soil covered with small wood remains, bark and cones. Grows in compact groups, from 4-5 to 10-15 specimens.
The mushroom can be found in the north of Europe and in the central part of it. In Russia, this species is rare, it grows mainly in Karelia and the Leningrad region. Prefers dry pine forests.
Sometimes small groups of these fungi are found in mixed pine-deciduous forests
What does albatrellus blushing look like?
Young mushrooms have a spherical, domed cap. As it grows up, it straightens, becoming disc-shaped, often concave, in the form of a shallow plate with the edges lowered by a rounded roller. The shape of the cap in mature specimens is uneven, folded-tuberous, corrugated, the edges may be lace-like, cut with deep folds. There are often radial cracks.
The cap is fleshy, dry, dull, covered with large scales, rough. The color is uneven spots, from white and yellowish-cream to baked milk and ocher-brown, often with a purple tint. Overgrown mushrooms can have an uneven, dirty purple or dark brown color. Diameter from 3 to 7 cm, individual fruiting bodies grow up to 14.5 cm.
The hymenophore is tubular, strongly descending, with large angular pores. There are snow-white, cream and yellowish-light green shades. Light pink spots may appear. The pulp is dense, firm, whitish-pink, odorless. Spore powder, creamy white.
The leg is irregular in shape, often curved. It is located both in the center of the cap and eccentrically or on the side. The surface is dry, scaly, with thin villi, the color coincides with the color of the hymenophore: white, cream, pinkish. Length from 1.8 to 8 cm, thickness up to 3 cm.
The color of the cap changes as it develops
Twins of the tinder fungus blushing
Albatrellus blushing can be confused with other members of its own species.
Sheep polypore (Albatrellus ovinus). Conditionally edible. Has greenish spots on the cap.
The mushroom is included in the lists of endangered species of the Moscow region
Albatrellus lilac (Albatrellus syringae). Conditionally edible. The spongy spore layer does not grow to the peduncle.The pulp has a rich light yellow hue.
Concentric dark stripes may be visible on the cap
Albatrellus confluens (Albatrellus confluens). Conditionally edible. The fruit body is large, the caps grow up to 15 cm in diameter, smooth, without pronounced scales. The color is creamy, sandy-ocher.
Drying, the pulp takes on a dirty reddish tint.
Is it possible to eat albatrellus blushing
The fruit body is slightly poisonous, if the cooking technology is violated, it can cause stomach upset and colic. The mushroom in Russia is classified as an inedible species because of the bitter, aspen-like pulp. In Europe, this type of tinder fungus is eaten.
Conclusion
Albatrellus blushing is a poorly studied species of tinder fungus from the genus Albatrellus. It grows mainly in Europe, where it is considered an edible mushroom with a special taste. In Russia, it is classified as an inedible species due to its rich bitterness, which does not go away even during heat treatment. Weakly toxic, can cause intestinal colic. It is interesting that the word "albatrellus", which gave the name to the genus, is translated from Italian as "boletus" or "aspen".
