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The Austrian Sarcoscifa is known by several names: Lachnea austriaca, Red Elf Bowl, Peziza austriaca. In Russia, an exotic species of mushroom is found in old clearings of mixed forests, the distribution is not massive. The marsupial mushroom belongs to the Sarcoscith family, the main distribution area is Australia, Asia, Europe, America.
What does the Austrian sarcoscith look like?
The Austrian sarcoscifa is bright red in color, but this is the only species in which albino forms are found. Some enzymes responsible for coloring may be missing. Fruit bodies are white, yellow, or orange. An interesting fact: in one place fungi with signs of albinism and brightly colored ones can develop. There is no consensus among mycologists about the reasons for the color change.
Description of the fruiting body
At the initial stage of development, the fruiting body is formed in the form of a bowl with concave light edges. With age, the cap unfolds and takes on an irregular disk, saucer shape.
Characteristics of the Austrian sarcoscife:
- the diameter of the fruiting body - 3-8 cm;
- the inner part is bright crimson or scarlet, pale red in older specimens;
- in young representatives, the surface is smooth, even, in old ones it looks corrugated in the center;
- the lower part is light orange or white, with a shallow edge, the villi are light, transparent, spiral-shaped.
The pulp is thin, fragile, light beige, with a fruity smell and a weak mushroom taste.
Leg description
In a young Austrian sarcosciphus, the leg can be determined if the top layer of deciduous litter is removed. It is short, medium thick, solid. The color matches the outer part of the fruiting body.
In adult specimens, it is poorly determined. If the saprophyte grows on bare wood, the leg is in a rudimentary state.
Where and how it grows
Sarkoscifa Austrian forms a few groups on the decaying remains of trees. They can be found on stumps, branches or perennial dead wood. Sometimes the species settles on wood immersed in the ground and covered with a layer of dead leaves. It seems that the Elf Cup is growing out of the ground. Wood remains - this is the main place of growth, preference is given to maple, alder, willow. It settles on oaks less often, conifers are not suitable for vegetation. Rarely can a small clump be seen on root rot or moss.
The first families of the Austrian sarcoscifs appear in early spring, immediately after the snow melts, on open glades, the edges of forest paths, less often in parks. Sarkoscifa is a kind of indicator of the ecological state of the area. The species does not grow in a gassed or smoky area. Elf's bowl is not found near industrial enterprises, highways, city dumps.
Sarkoscifa Austrian can grow only in a temperate climate. The first wave of fruiting occurs in spring, the second in late autumn (until December). Some specimens go under the snow. In Russia, the Elf's bowl is common in the European part, the main area is Karelia.
Is the mushroom edible or not
Sarkoscifa Austrian - a species without a pronounced taste and smell, which is classified as edible. The texture of the small mushroom is dense, but not rubbery. Young specimens are processed without prior boiling. Ripe fruit bodies are better heat treated before cooking, they will become softer. There are no toxic compounds in the chemical composition, so the Elf's bowl is absolutely safe. Suitable for any kind of processing.
After freezing, the taste becomes more pronounced. Fruit bodies are used for pickling, included in the assortment. Winter harvesting with red mushrooms looks unusual, the taste of sarcoscif is not inferior to species with a higher nutritional value.
Doubles and their difference
Outwardly, the following varieties are similar to the Austrian:
- Sarkoscif scarlet. You can distinguish by the shape of the villi on the outside of the fruiting body, they are smaller, without bends. Mushrooms do not differ in taste, both types are edible. The formation of their fruiting bodies is simultaneous: in spring and autumn. The twin is thermophilic, therefore it is found in the southern regions.
- The sarcoscifa western belongs to the twins. In Russia, the mushroom does not grow, it is common in the Caribbean, in the central part of America, less often in Asia. The fruiting body has a smaller cap (no more than 2 cm in diameter), as well as a clearly defined long thin stem (3-4 cm). The mushroom is edible.
- The saprophyte of Dudley's sarcoscith is outwardly difficult to distinguish from the Elf Cup. The fungus is found in Central America. The fruit body is bright crimson in color, formed in the form of a shallow bowl with uneven edges. More often it grows singly on a moss or deciduous bed covering the decayed remains of linden. Fruiting only in spring, the mushroom does not grow in autumn. The taste, smell and nutritional value does not differ from the Elf Bowl.
Conclusion
The Austrian Sarcoscifa is a saprophytic mushroom with an unusual structure and scarlet color. It grows in the temperate climate of the European part, bears fruit in early spring and late autumn. Has a mild smell and taste, is versatile in processing, does not contain toxins.
