Russula includes about 270 species. Most of them are edible and pleasant to taste, but there are not very pleasant representatives among these mushrooms. One of them is Russula pungent or nauseous. Is it true that it can be poisoned? The description and photos of the russula by the burning eater are presented below.
How to distinguish russula?
A pungent russula can be easily recognized by a bright red or light red hat with a diameter of 6-10 centimeters. It is convex, with a small depression in the center, which is slightly darker in color. In young mushrooms, the hat is very convex and pressed with the edges to the leg. Growing up, Russula spreads it, making it wider and flattened at the end.
The mushroom peel is easily detached, the flesh under it is pinkish and has a pronounced fruity smell. The russula pedicle is elastic and cylindrical. It is white, sometimes it has spots of a pinkish tint. Fine wrinkles cover it. The base of the legs can be thickened or, conversely, narrowed. It reaches up to 10 cm in length and 2.5-3 in diameter.
Under the mushroom's head, white plates are seen that are tightly located to each other. They grow to the leg and turn yellow as the Russula ages. The spore powder of the fungus is white, and the spores themselves are colorless, ellipsoidal up to 11 microns in length. Russula mycelium firmly intertwines with the roots of trees, forming mycosis.
Similar mushrooms and features
Pyrex Russula is found only in the northern hemisphere of the planet. She prefers moist deciduous and coniferous forests. It can often be found near swamps and even in mountainous areas. They appear, as a rule, from June to October.
For growth, the fungus needs a lot of organic substances and an acidic environment, so places with peat soil are great for it. It does not form groups, such as foxes. Mostly found singly, but can grow along with other types of russula.
He has no doubles, but it is easy to confuse the mushroom with the Russula marsh. They have a similar color, size, type of hats and plates. Combines them with a fruity smell of pulp. But they have bright differences. Swamp Russula is absolutely tasteless. Her leg looks like a spindle or club, and the hat is dry. The vomiting russula has a glossy and shiny hat, covered with a sticky substance.
An elegant russula is similar to a pungent russula in appearance and quality. She also has a bitter taste, a wide hat and a cylindrical leg. But its color is much paler than that of the burning eater. Olive green is often mixed with the light purple hue of the hat.
Inedible Russula
This mushroom has been known since 1774. At least then the first descriptions of russula are found. Its unattractive names are directly related to properties. The taste of the fungus gives off pronounced bitterness, and after its use nausea, vomiting and pain in the gastrointestinal tract may appear.
Due to such characteristics, russula, pungent, has long been considered very poisonous. This opinion is still encountered. However, this issue is quite controversial. Many claim that after using it, there were no unpleasant symptoms. It is believed that the bitter taste and toxicity disappear if the mushroom is salted or boiled. For reliability, it is better to boil it twice.
In Russia, Slovakia and Hungary, the mushroom is eaten. In Slovakia, the skin removed from his hat is dried and used as a seasoning. They also eat various animals, such as squirrels.
Mushroom poisoning
In various reference books, the fungus appears as inedible or conditionally edible. There is an assumption that it contains muscarine - a substance that is present in the fly agaric. With proper processing, the mushroom will not necessarily lead to poor health if you eat it only once, but it is not recommended to include it in the diet too often.
Symptoms of poisoning with russula nauseous are partially guessed from its name. Along with nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and abdominal cramps come. They occur from half an hour to three hours after eating a mushroom.
Symptoms disappear quickly and spontaneously, immediately after all the particles of the fungus exit the body. As a rule, they do not cause serious consequences, but in case of severe dehydration and numerous vomiting, you must always seek help from a doctor.