Content
The peacock webcap is a representative of the webcap family, the webcap genus. The Latin name is Cortinarius pavonius. Nature should know about this gift only in order not to accidentally put it in a basket, since it is an inedible and poisonous mushroom.
Description of the peacock's webcap
The optimal time for the growth of this species is the period from late summer to early autumn.
The fruiting body consists of a beautiful scaly cap and a sturdy stem. The pulp is fibrous, light, on a cut it acquires a yellowish tone. Has no pronounced smell and taste.
Description of the hat
The surface of this mushroom is literally covered with small brick-colored scales.
At a young age, the cap is spherical, over time it becomes flat, and a tubercle appears in the center. In mature specimens, severely depressed and cracked edges can be seen. The size of the cap in diameter varies from 3 to 8 cm. The surface is finely flaked, the main color of which is brick. On the inner side of the caps there are fleshy, frequent plates. At a young age, they are colored purple.
Leg description
The leg of the specimen is quite strong and thick.
The leg of the peacock's spider web is cylindrical, dense, the surface of which is also strewn with scales. As a rule, the color coincides with the color scheme of the hat.
Where and how it grows
Active fruiting of the peacock's webcap does not last long - from late summer to early autumn. The appearance of this species is registered in many European countries, such as Germany, Great Britain, France. On the territory of Russia, a poisonous specimen can be found in its European part, as well as in the Urals and Siberia. Preference is given to hilly and mountainous terrain, and forms mycorrhiza exclusively with beeches.
Is the mushroom edible or not
The peacock webcap is considered poisonous. This fruit contains toxins that are dangerous to the human body. Therefore, it should not be used for food.
Doubles and their differences
In appearance, the peacock's webcap is similar to some of its relatives:
- White-purple webcap - is considered a conditionally edible mushroom of poor quality. The surface of the cap is smooth, glossy, painted in a lilac-silver color with ocher spots, which makes it distinguishable from the described species.
- The lazy webcap is also poisonous, has a similar shape and color of fruit bodies. At a young age, the cap is yellowish, later it becomes copper or reddish. Mainly grows in groups in European forests, located in mossy areas.
- The orange webcap is certainly edible. You can distinguish a peacock from a cobweb by a smooth, scaly cap of an orange or ocher color. In addition, the leg of the double is decorated with a ring, which the poisonous specimen does not have.
Conclusion
The peacock webcap is a small mushroom, but quite dangerous.Eating it in food causes serious poisoning, and also provokes negative changes in the kidney tissue, which can lead to death.
