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The spotted pseudo-raincoat is scientifically called Scleroderma Leopardova, or Scleroderma areolatum. Belongs to the family of the False raincoats, or Scleroderma. The Latin name “areolatum” means “divided into areas, areas”, and “scleroderma” means “dense skin”. Popularly, the genus is known as "hare potatoes", "damn tobacco" and "dust collector".
What spotted false raincoats look like
Spotted raincoat - gasteromycete. The structure of its fruiting body is closed. It forms under the soil surface. Then it goes outside for ripening, acquiring a spherical or tuberous shape. Spores are stored inside the fruiting body, in the basidium. This is the organ of sexual sporulation.
Fruiting bodies of spotted pseudo-raincoats are medium-sized, from 15 to 40 mm. They have a pronounced ball and inverted pear shape. Painted in a light yellow-brown hue, they have numerous small dark brown scales compressed by areola rollers. This makes the fruiting body look like a leopard skin. As it grows, the shell of the fungus becomes darker and coarser. When the spores mature, the fruit cracks and an irregularly shaped hole appears in the upper part.
The mushroom has no legs, only an unexpressed false stem with a branched tapered outgrowth can form.
The flesh of young specimens is fleshy, light. As it ripens, it changes color to dark, purple or olive brown with white veins. The structure becomes powdery. The flesh tastes sweet.
Where do spotted pseudo-raincoats grow
The species is very common. The growing area covers both temperate zones and southern zones. It can be found in Europe, Russia, on the North American continent. The spotted pseudo-raincoat forms mycorrhiza with trees of various species.
Prefers moist deciduous and coniferous forests. Loves soils that are rich in organic matter and contain sand. It can be found in open, well-lit areas, in parks and squares, along roads and forest belts, in dumps, in humus. In most cases it grows in groups.
The fruiting period coincides with the ripening season of the "noble" species. It falls in mid-August - late September, when the rainy season begins. In warm weather, fruiting can last until the end of October.
Is it possible to eat spotted false raincoats
The species belongs to the inedible species. The composition contains toxins. Eating large quantities of mushrooms causes poisoning. Its signs are: severe stomach pain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting. In severe cases, convulsions and loss of consciousness occur. Poisoning symptoms develop very quickly. They appear within 30-60 minutes. You cannot eat the spotted pseudo-raincoat.
Healing properties
The mushroom contains calvacin. This substance has antifungal and anti-cancer effects. Experiments with the participation of animals have shown that when using the pulp of the spotted pseudo-raincoat, the size of cancerous tumors decreases.
Another property of the species is the ability to fight skin diseases, stop bleeding, and relieve local inflammatory processes.
Conclusion
Spotted raincoat is an inedible species that causes poisoning. It is important for mushroom pickers to be able to distinguish it. False specimens grow only in groups, have a dense leathery shell and an unpleasant odor, and their flesh darkens when cut.
