Content
Until recently, mucilago cortical was classified as a mushroom. In recent years, it has been allocated to a separate group of myxomycetes (mushroom-like), or, simply, slime molds.
The cork mucilago is very fond of settling on tree branches, which stick around from all sides with its light coral outgrowths
Where does mucilago crustal grow
It mainly lives in countries with a warm, humid climate. Here he can be found almost throughout the year. In temperate latitudes, it is more common in deciduous forests, from summer to late autumn.
It goes through several main life phases of its development:
- creeping plasmodium (lives imperceptibly in the soil);
- sporulation (comes to the surface in the form of fruiting bodies);
- temporary wilting (dries up, but in this form it can retain vital functions for several decades).
Mucilago crustal is clearly visible in dense green grass or moss
What does mucilago crustal look like?
Mucilago cortical is a plant organism that looks very much like a mushroom fruit body. It is quite large in size, so it is easy to spot it. In addition, it has a white or light color - against the background of green grass, moss, it immediately catches the eye. The structure of the body is soft, loose, covered with a thin crust on top, thanks to which the plant got its name.
The external resemblance to mushrooms ends there, although they have some intersection points. For example, both those and others reproduce by spores, can live in the soil or come to the surface.
There are much more differences between them:
- food is arranged completely differently;
- the outer cover does not consist of chitin, as in mushrooms, but of lime;
- the fruiting body is not a whole organism, but consists of many separate plasmodia;
- can move at a speed of 0.5-1 cm per hour.
If fungi absorb organic matter from the soil, then myxomycetes do this through the cell membrane. The fruit body envelops particles of organic matter (food) and encloses them inside the cell in special bubbles. There the process of decomposition and digestion takes place.
Externally, mucilago crusty is very reminiscent of thick semolina porridge.
Is it possible to eat mucilago crustal mushroom
This mushroom-like organism is completely inedible. Its function in nature is other than serving as food for other living beings. Being in the plasmodium stage, it feeds on harmful bacteria, clearing the upper layers of the soil from them. Thus, it provides an invaluable service to all living nature and man, including healing and cleansing the external environment.
Conclusion
Mucilago cortical is quite common in our forests. But it is absolutely useless for humans as a source of nutrition. Therefore, it is best to leave the mushroom in its place - this way it will bring maximum benefit, heals the microflora of the soil and the environment.
