Content
Gyrodon merulius is a representative of the Paxillaceae family; according to other sources, some foreign mycologists believe that the species belongs to Boletinellaceae. In the literature it is known under the scientific name as Boletinéllus merulioides, as well as Gyrodon merulioides.
The lower tubular plane of the gyrodon is compared with the pattern of a small cobweb
What does Gyrodon Merulius look like?
The tubular cap reaches large sizes - from 6 to 12-15 cm, which depends on the length of the growth period and the soil rich in humus. In the initial phase of development, the top of the gyrodon is convex, with a turned-up border, then slightly depressed in the middle of the hat plane, or even funnel-shaped. The surface of the cap of merulius mushrooms looks uneven, often irregularly wavy. The skin on top is smooth, dry. The color is from yellowish brown to brown. Even with a slight damage to the lower tubular layer of the cap, dark yellow or olive-greenish in color, the natural shade changes to blue-green.
The mass of spores is ocher-brown. In the middle of the cap, the flesh is dense, thinner at the edges, light yellow or intensely yellow. The smell is not expressed.
In Gyrodon, the merulius-shaped leg is very low in comparison with the size of the cap - no more than 4-5 cm. The structure is eccentric. Above, the color is the same as the bottom of the cap, and at the base of the leg it is blackish-brown.
There are specimens with a predominance of a greenish-olive shade
Where does Gyrodon Merulius grow
Merulius mushrooms are quite rare, common in Europe, Asia, especially in the Far East, in North America - in forests where there is a thick deciduous litter. Large fruiting bodies grow in clearings and forest edges. Usually small families of gyrodons are found, sometimes mushrooms grow singly. There is information that gyrodons are more often found under ash trees. Fruiting of the merulius begins in June and lasts until October.
Is it possible to eat Gyrodon Merulius
Fruiting bodies of a rare species are conditionally edible, according to some sources, they are considered conditionally edible. Most likely, merulius-shaped gyrodons, like alder groves, belong to categories 4 or 3 in terms of nutritional value, since the pulp does not have a particularly pronounced characteristic mushroom smell and taste. Like all mushrooms, Merulius gyrodones are prized for their high protein and B vitamins content.
False doubles
There are no false poisonous counterparts in Gyrodon Merulius. There is a similar species, just as rare - podalder, or Gyrodon lividus in Latin. The mushroom is also considered edible or conditionally edible, with relatively little nutritional value. Characteristic features of alder groves, which are very rare, mainly near alder, and are common only in Europe:
- on top, the skin is yellow-buffy, sometimes grayish or brown;
- the surface of the leg is lighter than the cap, with reddish areas;
- the lower tubular plane descends to the leg;
- part of the light yellow pulp, which is located in the lower layer, near the tubules, turns slightly blue after breaking.
The fruit bodies of both species are almost the same in shape, but the Gyrodon Merulius has a darker surface color.
Collection rules
Merulius is collected in ecologically clean places, far from industrial zones and densely loaded roads. Due to the fact that the fruit body has a tubular structure, it does not have false poisonous counterparts. If you come across alder groves, which are as rare as merulius-like ones, they have a similar nutritional value, as well as the absence of a pronounced smell and taste. Both species, which belong to the same genus Girodon, bear fruit from mid-summer to October.
Use
Before cooking, rare mushrooms are soaked for 2-4 hours, then boiled or fried for 20-30 minutes. It is advised not to mix merulius-like boletins with other types, except for frying. Raw materials are also used for soup, sauces, since mushrooms are rich in protein and B vitamins. Merulius-shaped boletins are consumed only after collection, they are rarely harvested for future use.
Conclusion
Gyrodon merulius is a conditionally edible mushroom, although its pulp does not have a characteristic mushroom taste. Strong, young fruiting bodies are suitable for collection. Before use, the sorted and peeled fruit bodies are soaked, after which they are thermally treated.
