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Smoky ryadovka, smoky gray lyophyllum, gray or smoky gray talker - this is a conditionally edible species of the Lyophyll family. In mycology, it is known under the Latin names Lyophyllum fumosum or Clitocybe fumosa. Abundant fruiting, autumn. The main distribution area is coniferous dry forests.
What do smoky gray lyophillums look like?
A representative grows in a dense bunch, due to the growing season, the shape of the fungus is quite diverse. Central specimens often have deformed fruiting bodies. The color is light ash or smoky gray with a brown tint.
The description of the appearance is as follows:
- The cap of young lyophillums is convex, cushion-shaped, and grows up to 8 cm in diameter. In ripe mushrooms, it is prostrate, flat with uneven, wavy, concave edges and rare longitudinal cracks. The shape is asymmetrical, the central part has a rounded recess.
- The surface is dry with small and large bulges and depressions. At the beginning of growth, it is covered with small, poorly fixed flakes. After precipitation, they crumble, the protective film becomes matte and smooth.
- The lower layer is formed by thin, well-fixed plates, white - in young mushrooms, with a gray tint - in mature ones. The location is sparse with a clear border near the leg.
- The pulp is dense, thick, mostly white, gray near the protective film. Fruit body with a light nutty smell and sweet and sour taste.
Smoky gray lyophillums grow very densely, so the shape of the stem can be straight or curved to either side. Accretion of the lower part of two adjacent mushrooms is possible. In specimens free from compression, the shape is cylindrical, tapering upward. Those located in the middle are fused and flat. The surface is slightly white, the structure is hollow, coarse-fibered with longitudinal stripes, length - 10-12 cm, rather thick. Color - from beige to dark gray. In one group, the color of the mushrooms may differ.
Where do smoky gray lyophillums grow
A common species, the range covers:
- Far East;
- Ural;
- Siberia;
- Central regions to the North Caucasus.
Smoky gray lyophillums in Russia grow everywhere where conifers and mixed massifs are found. They form mycorrhiza mainly with pines, less often with oaks.
The species is located on dry areas, with a coniferous or mossy pillow in the form of numerous intergrowths. One group can contain up to 20 fruiting bodies. Rarely occurs singly. The fruiting period is long; harvesting begins at the end of July after heavy rainfall. The last mushrooms are found in mild climates at the end of October.
Is it possible to eat smoky gray lyophillums
The flesh in adult specimens is harsh, especially the leg. It has a sour taste, the smell is pleasant, light. Smoky gray lyophillums do not represent high nutritional value in terms of chemical composition and taste. There are no toxic compounds in the fruiting body.The advantage of the species is abundant compact fruiting, therefore lyophyllum was assigned to the conditionally edible fourth group.
False doubles
Outwardly, it is impossible to distinguish smoky-gray lyophillums from twisted rows. Initially, the mushrooms were attributed to one species, then they were divided.
The fruit bodies of the twin are smaller, the aggregates are not so dense and numerous. The species is widespread in broad-leaved massifs, forms mycorrhiza with birch, is located on the leaf litter of dry forest areas. The color of the cap is with brown shades and a scaly central part. Species from the same food category.
The row grown together is larger, cream, almost white in color.
In terms of food, the structure of the pulp and the way of growth, the species are the same. The grown-together row is tied to deciduous forests, grows in symbiosis with birch, less often aspen. There is no acid in the taste, there is practically no smell. According to mushroom pickers, the fruit body is fresh even after processing. Lyophyllum is attributed to the conditionally edible fourth category.
Lyophyllum simeji grows in coniferous areas on scanty soils, dry areas. Forms few concretions, fruit bodies are larger, the leg is thicker.
The color of the cap is dominated by brown tones. Fruiting in autumn.
Collection rules
Smoky gray lyophillums are collected in the same places, every year the mycelium grows, the yield becomes higher. Overripe specimens damaged by insects are not taken. Mushrooms near sewage treatment plants, city dumps, highways, factories are unsuitable for food. Fruit bodies from soil and air absorb and accumulate harmful substances. May cause poisoning.
Use
Smoky row is used in cooking only after boiling. Heat treatment makes the product softer, eliminates the sour taste. During the cooking process, the smell only intensifies. Fruit bodies are fried, stewed with vegetables and meat, and soup is prepared. Used for winter harvesting, the product is cut into pieces and frozen. Mushrooms are delicious in salted and pickled form. They are rarely used for drying, the workpieces are too tough.
Conclusion
Smoky gray lyophyllum belongs to the fourth category in terms of nutritional value; it grows in dense numerous concretions from late summer to mid-autumn. Distributed in temperate and warm climates, in mixed and coniferous forests. It is more often in symbiosis with pine. It settles in open dry areas, moss or coniferous litter.
