Content
Crowned Starfish is a mushroom with a fantastic whimsical appearance. It resembles a holly flower with a large fruit at the core.
What does a starfish crowned look like?
Has a hat with a diameter of up to 7 cm, which is divided into 7-8 sectors. The blades of the cap are bent downward. The fruiting body rises above the surface of the earth and mycelium. A whitish spore sac, oval, rises on a small stalk. The spores also have a brownish color and small warts on the surface, oval in shape and about 3-5 mm in size. Crowned starlet color varies from cream to light brown. The surface is rough, dry in appearance.
Starfish Crowned - Appearance
Where and how it grows
The main area of distribution is the northern part of the territory of the Caucasian mountains, forests of central Russia with clay soil.
It bears fruit from early autumn to mid-autumn, so September and October are the time of active growth.
The growth of this species is characterized by the proximity to deciduous trees.
Mushrooms grow singly or in groups in dense bushes in parklands and gardens.
Is the mushroom edible or not
The crowned starfish belongs to the category of conditionally edible mushrooms, therefore, in order to use it in food, you must follow a number of rules. Eating is hardly mentioned in the sources. Maybe. That this copy contains toxic substances that can cause poisoning. In rare cases, dangerous consequences may occur in the form of effects on the nervous system and the digestive tract.
Also, the impossibility of consuming Starfish crowned is characterized by its gastronomic properties. Taste qualities are specific - pronounced bitterness and smudge taste make it unsuitable for consumption.
Doubles and their differences
Despite the specific appearance, the starfish topped is not the only representative of the mushroom kingdom with such a shape of the fruiting body.
The main twin is the triple geastrum. This mushroom comes from the same genus and is inedible. In appearance, it also resembles a flower with a large ball in the middle. However, it differs in color from the crowned star - the core is almost black, and the blades have a brown half tone. Geastrum triple geastrum also has a different habitat - its growth is characterized by the presence of coniferous trees. Often grows deep in needles.
This specimen has a rather unusual shape.
Conclusion
The crowned starfish has an unusual appearance. Collecting it is a rather impractical exercise, since eating is impossible. It is a conditionally edible representative of the mushroom kingdom. But admiring the appearance of a mushroom, which looks more like a fairy-tale flower, is an interesting activity that can captivate not only children, but also adults. You can find this specimen in deciduous forests, near trees and in shrubs.
