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Paneolus moth (bell-shaped asshole, bell-shaped paneolus, butterfly dung beetle) is a dangerous hallucinogenic mushroom of the Dung family. Representatives of this group prefer moist fertile soil and feed on the remains of wood. The variety is classified as inedible due to the harmful substances contained in its pulp.
What does paneolus moth look like?
Paneolus moth is a lamellar mushroom. Its fruiting body has a distinct upper and lower part.
Description of the hat
The upper part has dimensions from 1.5 to 4 cm. The shape is conical, in the process of growth it becomes bell-shaped. The edges are folded inward, then straightened. Parts of the bedspread are located on the head. They are white in color and torn in shape. In an adult paneolus, they are noticeable in oil.
The hat is dry, with a flat surface. It becomes sticky after rains. The surface is brown with olive and gray tints. In adult representatives, it is lighter. The apex often has a yellowish or reddish undertone.
The flesh is thin, gray or brown. There is no smell. The plates are wide, narrow, pale gray in color. They grow to the stem, but they can separate from it. The edges are light, sometimes blackening with age.
Leg description
The leg is thin and long. Its thickness ranges from 2 to 4 cm. The length reaches 7-13 cm. The inner part is hollow, the flesh is thin, and easily breaks. The thickness is the same, sometimes there is an expansion at the top or bottom. The leg is banded, young mushrooms have a whitish bloom. The main color is gray-brown. When pressed, the pulp darkens.
Where and how it grows
Paneolus moth is found in pastures, forest edges and meadows. Prefers rotten grass or wood. It is often found in cow or horse dung. Grows in large groups, sometimes single specimens are found.
Is the mushroom edible or not
The variety is included in the inedible group. It is not recommended to eat it in any form. The pulp contains psilocybin, a substance with hallucinogenic properties.
Doubles and their differences
Externally, the paneolus moth is similar to different types of mushrooms:
- Paneolus is semi-ovate. Another representative of the Dung family. Information about edibility is contradictory, but in many sources it is classified as hallucinogenic. The main features are the light color and the ring on the stem.
- The dung beetle is white. An unusual variety with an elongated cap up to 20 cm high and up to 10 cm in diameter. Its shape is oblong-ovoid, white or gray. The height of the fruiting body is up to 35 cm. Young specimens are conditionally edible, in which the plates are not colored. In Western Europe, dung beetle is considered a delicacy.
- Candoll's false froth. Conditionally edible twin, which is allowed to be consumed after heat treatment. The top is bell-shaped, ranging in size from 3 to 8 cm.The edges are wavy, the color is yellowish or cream. The pulp is thin and fragile. There is a thickening in the lower part of the fruiting body.
Conclusion
Paneolus moth contains hallucinogenic substances and is dangerous to human health. The fruit body has a number of features that distinguish it from twins. Most of them are poisonous or conditionally edible.
