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The fungus listed in the Red Book, which cannot be found in Russia, is the Tien Shan albatrellus. Its other name is Scutiger Tien Shan, Latin - Scutigertians chanicus or Albatrellus henanensis. It is an annual that does not grow in large groups and is rarely found in the plains.
Where does Tien Shan albatrellus grow?
The fungus is found in the Tien Shan mountains, in the region of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. You can find it even at the highest peaks (2200 m), near their foothills. Less commonly, this Basidiomycete is found in the Big Alma-Ata Gorge. The species is not widespread on the territory of Russia.
Albatrellus Tien Shan bears fruit from July to August. The mycelium grows only in forest soil, near conifers. The fruit body is hidden in tall grass, where it is almost invisible.
What does albatrellus Tien Shan look like?
The cap of a young specimen is oblong, outstretched, depressed in the center. Its dimensions do not exceed 10 cm in diameter. The edges are thin, uneven, wavy. The surface is dry, wrinkled, spotted, covered with dark scales. The color is dirty beige or yellow. In dry weather, Basidiomycete becomes fragile and brittle.
The leg is short, irregular in shape, up to 4 cm in length and no more than 1 cm in diameter
It is convex at the base, located in the center of the cap. The surface of the leg is smooth; it becomes wrinkled when dried.
Over time, the cap with the stem practically grows together, forming a single fruiting body with many partitions.
In overripe albatrellus of the Tien Shan, the septa dissolve, forming a single, loose fruit body
The pulp of the mushroom is off-white with a yellowish tinge; when dried, the color does not change. In old representatives of the species, it is brittle, loose.
The tubules are short, thin, almost indistinguishable. The hymenophore is brown, with an ocher tinge.
The pores are angular, rhombic. There are 2 or 3 of them per 1 mm of pulp.
Hyphae tissues are loose with thin septa. As they mature, they completely disappear. A brown resinous substance can be seen on the bluish tissues of the hyphae.
Is it possible to eat albatrellus Tien Shan
Mushrooms belong to the group of conditionally edible gifts of the forest. The fruiting body can be eaten, but only at a young age. Old mushrooms become tough and inedible.
Mushroom taste
The fruit body of the mountain Basidiomycete does not differ in high taste. It has no pronounced smell. It grows singly, it is not possible to harvest a full harvest.
False doubles
The described specimen has no poisonous twins. There are similar related species.
- Albatrellus bluepore is distinguished by a bluish color of the cap in young, immature mushrooms. The place of growth also differs: it is found in North America and the Far East.
The species is edible, but little studied
- Albatrellus confluent has a pinker and smoother cap. It grows in large groups that grow together into a single fruiting body.
This representative of the species is edible, but has a specific bitter taste.
Collection and consumption
Albatrellus Tien Shan begins to be harvested in the middle of summer. With the onset of autumn, the mycelium ceases to bear fruit. Young, small specimens are placed in the basket. Old fruiting bodies are not recommended to be taken - they are dry and tough. It is problematic to collect a basket of these mushrooms, since they grow in a single copy and hide well in tall grass.
After harvesting, the fruit body is washed in running water and cooked to taste. It can be boiled or fried. For the winter, they are harvested in dried form. In this case, the shape, consistency and color of the basidiomycetes will not change.
Conclusion
Albatellustian Shan belongs to rare, endangered species. It is found only in the mountainous regions of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In these countries, it is listed in the Red Book. Finding it is considered a great success for lovers of quiet hunting. The described mushroom does not have high taste and nutritional value.
