What false mushrooms look like

Going into the forest, the mushroom picker should stock up not only with a knife and a basket, but also with knowledge of the characteristic signs by which false mushrooms differ from real ones. If the latter, properly collected and cooked, are edible and tasty, then eating some varieties of their "counterparts" can cause severe poisoning. The ability to distinguish forest mushrooms from false ones can preserve the “mushroom hunting” lover and his loved ones health, and sometimes even life.

General description of false agarics

The first thing that will help you figure out how to distinguish false mushrooms is a photo and a description of their various types.

It is difficult to classify these mushrooms. Their species diversity is widely represented within several families at once (strophariaceous, dung beetles, according to another taxonomy - psatirella).

They are united with edible "brothers" by the season in which they grow, and their habitat - hemp, fallen trees, dead wood, tree roots and trunks.

Due to the similarity of external signs - growth in large groups, convex lamellar caps, thin and long legs, hollow inside - it is at first glance difficult for a non-specialist to determine which mushrooms are in front of him. False mushrooms and "normal" mushrooms, it happens, even grow in the neighborhood on the same stump.

If there is even the slightest doubt whether it was possible to correctly recognize: the mushrooms are false or not, it is not worth taking the risk of cutting these mushrooms into your basket. You should not take everything in a row to figure it out at home or ask experts. If at least one poisonous mushroom has got into the basket, the rest will have to be thrown in - it is no longer possible to eat them.

Are false mushrooms dangerous?

Many varieties of these mushrooms are considered inedible and poisonous - they should not be eaten under any circumstances.

Some species are conditionally edible. After proper processing (soaking, boiling), it is allowed to cook dishes from them.

What edible and false mushrooms look like (photo)

Edible mushrooms and false mushrooms look almost the same.

However, there are a number of differences that make it possible to separate one from the other. Pay attention to the following:

• the color and shape of the cap;
• the color of the plates on its wrong side;
• the presence of scales on the surface;
• the presence of an annular growth ("skirt") around the stem of the mushroom;
• smell.

The photo will help you imagine how to distinguish between false mushrooms and edible mushrooms:

False mushrooms that look like edible

It is necessary to dwell in more detail on the characteristics of the most common types of mushrooms, known as false mushrooms, to give their photos and descriptions.

How to distinguish a gallery bordered from honey agarics

One of the most dangerous types of false mushrooms is the bordered gallery.

Characteristic features of a bordered gallery:

The difference between this type of false honey agarics and the real ones will help to present a photo:

Summer honey agaric:

• larger (cap - up to 6 cm in diameter);
• grows in large "families";
• the pulp has a pleasant smell and taste;
• the leg is covered with scales below.

Autumn honeydew:

• grows in large bunches;
• the pulp is thicker;
• the surface of the stem and cap is covered with scales.

Candol's honeydew

The photo below shows what Candoll's false mushrooms look like:

Psatirella hygrophilous

In this photo, false mushrooms are psatirella, or hygrophilous fragile (hydrophilic, spherical), otherwise known as watery pseudo-froth. This species is very common on the territory of Russia.

Poppy honey

An idea of ​​how false mushrooms look can be obtained using the example of poppy, or seroplate.

Sulfur-yellow honey agaric

It is very important for a mushroom picker to keep in mind the description and differences of the false sulfur-yellow mushroom, since this species is not just inedible, but poisonous.

Brick red mushroom

The photo below of hemp false agarics shows the species known as brick red.

In Europe, this mushroom is not considered edible, but dishes made from it are quite popular in Japan and the United States.

How to distinguish false mushrooms from real ones

A photo and analysis of a certain set of signs will help to learn to distinguish false mushrooms from real ones:

To find out how to distinguish false mushrooms from real ones, the video will help

The appearance of mushrooms

The mushrooms are false and edible, shown in the photo, can be determined correctly if you look closely:

• the caps of false species are colored more strikingly (in a bright yellow, terracotta-red color), while in edible ones they are relatively modest, mainly of pale brown tones;
• young edible specimens often have scales on the surface of the cap and stem, while scaly false mushrooms are not found;
• the plates on the back of the cap in edible species are usually white-yellow or cream in color, in false varieties their color is greenish or olive-black;
• edible mushrooms are characterized by a noticeable leathery ring ("skirt") around the stem, in false ones it is hardly noticeable, or even absent altogether.

Here is another photo showing the difference between false agarics and real ones:

How false mushrooms differ from edible mushrooms by smell

To distinguish true mushrooms from false ones, their smell will help:

• thanks to the essential oils in edible specimens, they smell pleasantly of mushrooms (and the aroma increases during the cooking process);
• the odor of the false species is unpleasant - they smell like mold, damp earth or rotten grass.

Taste

False mushrooms taste unpleasant, bitter - however, it is quite natural that they are tasted not raw, but already cooked.

Signs of poisoning with false mushrooms

Knowing the signs of poisoning with false mushrooms will help to quickly and competently provide the victim with first aid. Then you should, without wasting time, consult a doctor.

Symptoms of poisoning with false mushrooms

Typical symptoms of poisoning with false mushrooms:

• the occurrence of heartburn, nausea, discomfort in the stomach;
• the appearance of dizziness;
• after a few hours there is lethargy, apathy, weakness increases, the limbs begin to tremble;
• nausea increases, vomiting and diarrhea occur, accompanied by spasms, sharp pains in the abdomen;
• cold sweat appears, including on the palms and feet;
• loss of consciousness is possible.

First aid for poisoning with false mushrooms

Symptoms of poisoning with false mushrooms appear after a short period of time (according to various sources, from 1 to 6 hours) after eating mushrooms. During this period, it is important to take emergency measures as soon as possible:

• rinse the stomach (induce vomiting, after drinking a large amount of clean cold water);
• ensure the intake of enterosorbents (activated carbon, polysorb, atoxil);
• organize an abundant drink;
• seek qualified medical attention.

The consequences of poisoning with false mushrooms

The toxins contained in the juice of these mushrooms enter the bloodstream through the gastrointestinal tract, and with its current are carried throughout the body.

If the patient does not receive help, this may manifest itself:

• severe headache and dizziness;
• a slowdown in the pulse and a drop in blood pressure (sometimes even to critically low values);
• blue skin;
• hallucinations, delirium (as a result of prolonged dehydration);
• alternating periods of inhibition and excitement.

With proper treatment given on time, the victim usually recovers within a few days. The risk of death is small, but it exists - primarily for a child or a weakened body.

Is it possible to eat false mushrooms

It is possible to eat only those species that are conditionally edible. This is considered undesirable, but acceptable, subject to all the intricacies of cooking. First, they are soaked in water for a long time, then boiled thoroughly.

These mushrooms cannot be eaten raw. Moreover, if you eat false mushrooms, which are considered conditionally edible, but cooked incorrectly, it will be dangerous for your health.

How to check false mushrooms when cooking

Among mushroom pickers, there is an opinion that it is possible to distinguish mushrooms from false ones when cooking. To do this, it is advised to lower the peeled, cut onion or chives into the pan where the mushrooms are boiled. If the roots acquire a blue or brown hue, it means that there are poisonous specimens there.

How else can you check if honey mushrooms are poisonous or not?

In addition to the "folk" method given above, there are some more common tips on how to determine whether a false mushroom is poisonous or not. You can often hear sentences:

• cut a raw mushroom and rub it on a silver cutlery; if it darkens, there are poisonous substances in the product;
• dip the dubious mushroom into raw cow's milk - the poison will help it quickly turn sour.

There are even more "curious" ideas that are, in fact, dangerous delusions:

1. "If the mushroom is eaten by insect larvae, this speaks in favor of the fact that it is not poisonous" is not true. Anything that is not poisonous to insects may well pose a danger to humans.
2. "If you cook mushrooms for a long time with the addition of vinegar and salt, you can" boil "the poison out of them" - not true. This method is conditionally suitable only for some species, in the fruit bodies of which there are few toxins, in the overwhelming majority of cases it will not give anything.
3. "Alcohol can help neutralize mushroom poison" is not true. On the contrary, drinking alcohol will help toxins spread much faster!

Conclusion

False mushrooms are mostly inedible, or even poisonous "twins" of ordinary species, found in abundance during the mushroom season. On close examination, false and "normal" mushrooms have a number of differences in the color and structure of the surface of the cap, leg, presence or absence of a "skirt", color of the plates and smell. The mushroom picker should study these features well and be guided by them, and not dubious prompts heard "among the people." Just in case, you need to remember how to recognize mushroom poisoning and be able to provide first aid.

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