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The alder pig (from the Latin Paxillus rubicundulus) has caused controversy over edibility. In wartime, pigs were escaping hunger, some people make preparations from them, boil and fry them, considering them safe. Scientists urge to abandon the collection of these mushrooms due to their high toxicity.
Where does the alder pig grow
Alkhovaya belongs to the Svinushkov family (Paxillaceae), the genus Svinushka (Paxillus).
Has several names:
- aspen;
- dunka;
- cowshed;
- pig;
- solokh;
- pig;
- pork ear;
- havroshka;
- fetuha;
Some common names arose from the resemblance of the mushroom to a pork penny or ear. The origin of the others is not known.
More often you can hear "aspen" or "alder" pig, because it grows mainly in deciduous or on the edges of coniferous forests under aspen or alder, sometimes found on old anthills and tree roots. The fungus is widespread in temperate zones. Fruiting from July to September. Prefers moist soil. Grows in groups, but rarely comes across.
What an alder pig looks like
Young alder specimens are distinguished by a convex cap with edges tucked up to the stem. The hat can be up to 15 cm in diameter. In adult mushrooms, it becomes disproportionate, flatter (sometimes in the form of a small funnel), compacted, with a depression in the middle, covered with cracks. The color of the cap is light gray or light brown with a reddish or yellow tint. The surface is velvety and dry, with dark scales, sticky after long rains.
The plates on the back of the cap of the alder dunka are uneven, descending, narrow, have bridges at the base, lighter in color than the cap. The plates are easily separated and darken with slight pressure.
The mushroom grows up to 7 cm in height, the diameter of the leg is up to 1.5 cm. The color of the leg is lighter than the cap or the same, it can be narrowed to the base or cylindrical, full inside, the surface is smooth or fleecy, darkens when pressed.
The pulp is dense, white or yellowish, soft, yellow and friable with age, does not darken immediately when cut.
Is it possible to eat an alder pig
The alder look has a pleasant mushroom smell and taste. But, despite this, it is necessary to carefully study the photo and description of the alder pig in order to never put this mushroom in your basket.
Previously, the aspen pig was classified as a conditionally edible mushroom, but the species was officially classified as a dangerous and poisonous mushroom in 1984.
According to the results of many years of research, it turned out that the pig contains a persistent poison - muscarine, which does not disappear even after many hours of cooking. This poison is twice as active as that found in red fly agaric. After eating pigs, intoxication can quickly develop.
Scientists have found that alder is also dangerous because the pulp contains a lot of antigen protein that can glue red blood cells.This can lead to blood clotting, the separation of blood clots in the blood vessels or the heart muscle, which is often fatal. But this does not happen immediately after eating pigs, so death is not always associated with poisoning.
Proteins can accumulate for a long time in the tissues of the human body and will make themselves felt when there are too many of them: first, anemia will appear, various thrombosis will develop, a heart attack or stroke will suddenly occur, which no one will associate with fungi.
Also, aspen pigs are capable of accumulating heavy metals in themselves, and since the ecological situation in the world is significantly deteriorating, then there are more poisons in these mushrooms.
Mushroom pickers often emphasize that pigs are often worm-eaten, which means they are not life-threatening. It is a mistake to believe that poisonous mushrooms do not touch worms, but the same fly agarics have become food for many insects and their larvae.
Similar species
There are 35 species of pigs in the genus, some are very similar to each other. For example, it is difficult to visually distinguish them with a thin pig. The alder cap with scales is even more orange, while the thin one is olive-brown. Thin ones grow in large groups in young birch or oak trees. Are poisonous.
The fat pig has a very short and wide leg; the mushroom grows in coniferous forests. It is edible, but of poor quality.
The ear-shaped pig lives in coniferous forests; it is distinguished from the alder by a small, practically absent, leg, which merges with the cap. It is considered a poisonous mushroom, which is also not eaten due to the large amount of toxins that interfere with blood formation.
Application
In China, alder pig is used as a muscle relaxer.
Despite the toxicity proven by scientists, the mushroom continues to be eaten and harvested for the winter, which is strongly discouraged by scientists and doctors.
Alder pig poisoning
Alder pork eaten can cause poisoning, accompanied by mild or severe symptoms:
- vomiting;
- increased salivation and sweating;
- nausea;
- lowering blood pressure;
- diarrhea;
- abdominal pain;
- weakness;
- dizziness.
Antigens of the fungus, accumulating in the body, cause anemia, renal and hepatic failure, which can result in a sharp and inexplicable death after decades.
Conclusion
The alder pig is an insidious mushroom. Scientists advise to beware and not to taste the pig, no matter how much others praise it. And if this has already happened, at the first sign of poisoning, you need to call an ambulance and, while waiting for the arrival of doctors, rinse the stomach, cleanse the intestines with saline. A large serving of pigs can cause swelling of the brain or lungs. If you do not call help on time, there is a high probability of death.
