Oak breast - a description of where it grows, the toxicity of the mushroom

The content of the article

1 Description
2 Appearance
3 Spread
4 Similar views
5 Edibility

The oak mushroom mushroom is a real handsome man, with his appearance strongly resembling the saffron milk cap known to everyone, as if it were crossed with mushrooms. Among other similarities, even concentric stripes on a hat have almost exactly the same features. But at the same time, these two varieties of the mushroom kingdom have some differences. Also noteworthy is the fact that the oak breast has two different Latin names at once - Lactarius insulsus and Lactarius zonarius, as well as several Russian names.

Description

Oak breast is one of the representatives of the vast Syroezhkov family, which, in turn, is part of the Mlecnik family, which is even more significant in size. Thus, he is a close relative of the ubiquitous Russula. Mushroom pickers often call it saffron mushroom or oak milk. The latter name stuck due to the presence of white juice, characteristic of the color, in its pulp. Among specialists in the mushroom world (mycologists), it is also known as oak lactarius.

Appearance

This type of breast has a rather large hat, the diameter of which is on average from 6 to 15 centimeters, however, in nature, individual specimens have been repeatedly recorded with a hat that has managed to grow to 20 or more centimeters. In a young oak loaf, it differs in a convex shape with strongly curved edges and has a distinct fossa in its central part. As the fungus grows, the hat takes the form of a funnel or gradually becomes flat-convex. Its flat fleshy edges are slightly lowered. On the surface, you can see pronounced dark circles, usually having a brown color.

The hat of a mature mushroom takes the form of a wide funnel or acquires a large irregular shape, with thin and wavy, slightly tucked edges. It is dry to the touch and gains characteristic adhesive properties only in wet weather, but at a young age of the fungus, depending on natural conditions, it also often turns out to be wet. The peel has a very different color, ranging from creamy yellow to reddish orange. Sometimes there are oak mushrooms, the hat of which is painted in a brick red tint.

The leg of this species is short and thick, with a length of up to 7 centimeters, its width ranges from one and a half to three and a half centimeters. Its shape is similar to a straight cylinder, sometimes having a noticeable narrowing or thickening. The pulp of the leg is dense, but it itself has a hollow structure. The color in most cases repeats the hue of the hat, but is slightly lighter. The most common creamy, pinkish and whitish options. In the rainy season, dark red spots may appear on the legs of oak mounds.

The mushroom pulp is dense and fragile, whitish or creamy, often acquiring a pale pink tint at the site of damage or cut, has an unusually bitter burning taste, as well as a pleasant fruity smell. The cause of bitterness is the white consistency of the milky juice of a liquid consistency that does not change color due to contact with air. The plates, gradually flowing from the hat to the upper part of the leg, wide and often located, have a reddish pink or yellowish color, which can vary depending on weather conditions or age. In rain, they can turn into dark, even brown, and dry, lighten to white or cream.

real breast - description, species where it grows

Spread

In the conditions of our country, such a mushroom as a lump of oak has become quite widespread.The greatest probability of meeting him is characteristic of deciduous and broad-leaved, as well as mixed forests. Quite often it can be found in pine plantings. A favorite place for populating mycelium is oak groves, which is most directly reflected in its name. Preferring to boil over on a humus loamy bud, oak lumps are often found next to trees of species such as beech or hazel.

This type of breasts most often grows in whole groups, however, sometimes it grows in single copies. The most active fruiting begins in mid-summer and ends closer to mid-autumn, extending until early October. The best time to collect is the autumn period, since in the summertime the cap of the oak lump is in an underground or near-earth position, having a very dirty surface. In recent years, oak lumps, also known as oak saffron, can be seen less and less, although several years ago it grew in huge quantities and literally everywhere.

Similar views

In appearance, the oak breast is similar to a spruce or pine saffron, however, upon closer examination, characteristic differences are immediately revealed. The hero of the article has a much lighter and paler hat, and its flesh in the place of a break or incision does not change its original color, while it turns green in saffron milk. At the same time, its flesh has a bitter taste, and the juice released when pressed is white, while in saffron milk it is colored in orange.

Edibility

Oak chestnut or saffron mushroom is a conditionally edible mushroom and is well appreciated in cooking for its excellent taste. But you can eat it only in the form of preforms in a salty form or after prolonged soaking in clean water for several days in a row. Pleasant taste is a great occasion to go to the forest and “hunt” for this kind of breasts. And to collect its sheer pleasure - thanks to the burning taste of bitter juice, the flesh never actually spoils worms and other pests.

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