Unusually shaped fungus rabbit cabbage is a rare species. It is found so infrequently in nature that most countries provided him with protection by listing it in his Red Book. It grows in forests from August to November. It develops on stumps and near trees, creeping along their protruding roots.
It is a parasitic fungus. Because of it, the trees are affected by red rot. For humans, it is very useful. It belongs to the category of edible mushrooms and is used in medicine; serious medicines are prepared from it. It is specially cultivated for use in cooking and medicine.
origin of name
The shape of an unusual mushroom is similar to a large head of cauliflower. From here came the popular name "rabbit cabbage". In Latin it is called Sparassis crispa (curly sparassis). And in translation from English its names sound like “mushroom-brain”, “mushroom-ruffle”, “mushroom-cauliflower”. In Russia, it is customary to call it mushroom or rabbit cabbage.
Area
The distribution area of the fungus is quite extensive. It is rarely found on the territory stretching from Europe to Sakhalin. He likes soils located in the north of the Caucasus and Georgia. In addition, mushroom cabbage, or curly sparasis, grows in North American forests. Suitable for its habitat and the conditions of the Russian forests. However, it is not often found.
He prefers to settle in natural ecosystems that form around pines, larch, oak and beech. Its fruiting bodies comfortably settle on decrepit stumps or bare tree rhizomes. They are easily confused with another edible species of sparassis, which prefers to live in spruce forests. Sparassis nemecii has a whitish coloration of fruiting bodies, and denticles are absent on their branches.
Mushroom Cabbage Morphology
Mushrooms, developing, reach a fair size. Some of them grow up to 50 centimeters, and sometimes even more in diameter and weigh several kilograms (there are even ten kilogram giants). However, among such giants mushroom cabbage with annual fruiting bodies, the diameter of which varies from 5 to 30 centimeters, is more common.
The structure of fruiting bodies is quite simple. Coral-shaped branching lobes are attached to a short central hemp. Their tips are crowned with obscure inverted-funnel caps.
The size of the hats is small, only 1-3 centimeters. Their edges are wavy, twisting, often dissected. The center of the hats, initially milky white, darkening over time to brownish shades, with a bare smooth or rough surface changes from dark cream to pale brown and even to intense ocher tones.
The color of the fleshy leather is white. Drying, it passes into a waxy-horn-like consistency. A rare mushroom, rabbit cabbage exudes a pleasant smell and has a wonderful taste. The whitish-cream or grayish hymenophore consistency is waxy. Cystides are absent. In non-amyloid, hyaline, widely ellipsoidal spores, at the base of short and oblique, the walls are slightly thickened.
Mushroom cabbage cultivation technology
The technology for cultivating rabbit cabbage has been thoroughly worked out by the Japanese and Americans. They patented some cultivated varieties. The main varietal difference of mushrooms is the ripening time (55-80 days) and the color palette of fruiting bodies - variations of white and cream shades.
Mushroom cabbage perfectly develops on sterilized substrates. They are prepared by mixing sawdust with wheat bran. At the same time, good yields are obtained. 3 kg of substrate grows to 800 g of fruiting bodies.
The benefits of curly sparassis
Traditional medicine and fungotherapy are widely used rabbit cabbage. Its fruiting bodies are saturated with polysaccharides, which are characterized by antitumor and immunomodulating activity. They include a natural antibiotic that can inhibit the development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
In addition, they contain antimicrobial bioactive components. They treat cancer (in particular melanoma and sarcoma). In gynecology, agents based on curly sparassis remove hormonal disorders, treat benign and oncological tumors. It is included in specialized diets. Mushroom cabbage as an active ingredient is added to drugs used to treat all types of diabetes and viral hepatitis.
Another mushroom rabbit cabbage is used in nutrition. Its reduced calorie content contributes to successful weight loss. Since it leads to persistent weight loss, they treat obesity. Moreover, the body does not lose vital minerals and amino acids for it.
Using mushroom cabbage in cooking
Overgrown mushrooms try not to use in cooking. They are quite tough and have a bitter aftertaste. Young mushrooms are suitable for cooking. Their texture and taste are similar to morels. They are excellent in fried, dried and boiled form. Good rabbit cabbage as an additive in any dish. With it, excellent soups, salads, snacks and main dishes are obtained.
Salad traders in the markets often sell these mushrooms, offering them pickled. True, you need to be careful about their choice. They are easily confused with another type of mushroom - Tremella, available in the assortment of bazaar collapses.