Content
Antennae hericum (Creolophus cirrhatus) is a representative of the Hedgehog family, the Creolophus genus, distinguished by its original shape and peculiar beauty. Another name is Creolophus antennae. Outwardly, it resembles a blossoming flower, consisting of several original twisting fruiting bodies.
Its fruiting body does not at all resemble an ordinary mushroom, which is the main "highlight" of the barbel's mane
Description of the barbel hedgehog
Antennae hericum is a multi-tiered, fan-shaped, fleshy mushroom. The upper part is felt. On its lower surface there are numerous long hanging spines (whiskers) of a conical shape. Their color at the beginning is white, then it becomes yellowish. In height, the fruit body grows up to 15 cm, in diameter up to 10-20 cm.
Shape - hemispherical, flesh color - white or pink
Description of the hat
The hat is round, fan-shaped, irregular in shape. Sedentary, convoluted, curling up, laterally accreted. Sometimes it is lingual, tapering to the base, with a lowered or tucked edge. The surface of the cap is hard and rough to the touch. Covered with pressed and ingrown pile. It is always painted in one color.
At a young age, the mushroom is rather light, later the wrapped edge acquires a reddish tint.
Leg description
As such, the peduncle of the antennal creolophus is absent. The mushroom is attached to the wood with the edge of the cap.
Collecting mushrooms is not very easy, as they often grow on tree trunks quite high
Where and how it grows
Barbel hedgehog grows in mixed plantings. It is ubiquitous in the European part of Russia, Siberia and the Far East. It grows mainly in tiers on tree trunks and stumps. Prefers moist areas of the forest.
Sometimes on the same tree several fruit bodies grow at once, intertwining into one inflorescence, similar to a bouquet. They are quite rare on the ground cover. Bears fruit in the autumn. Sometimes the mushroom season begins at the end of summer.
Is the mushroom edible or not
Belongs to edible mushrooms of 3-4 category. The highest palatability is observed at a young age. The flesh of the old mushroom becomes tough (corky) and tasteless. It is a low-calorie product, 100 g contains no more than 22 kcal.
It is also used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, in particular for the prevention of cancer.
Doubles and their differences
The barbel has no resemblance to ordinary mushrooms. Sometimes mushroom pickers can confuse it with the inedible northern climacodon. Distinctive features are:
- the correct shape of the fruiting body;
- spines and growths in the lower part have a cantilever shape.
Conclusion
Antennae hericum is an original mushroom without a cap and a leg, thereby differing from ordinary similar representatives. It is not only delicious, but also very healthy. It is used as an antineoplastic agent. It is a rather rare species, so it is often grown under artificial conditions.
