Content
Long-legged lobe is an unusual mushroom of the Helwell genus. Having met his family in the forest, you might think that in the middle of the clearing, someone has placed a service. This is because the top of the mushroom resembles a glass in which morning dew collects. This species is also called macropodia and long-legged Helvella, and in the official reference books of mycologists it can be found as Helvella macropus.
How long-legged lobes look like
The fruiting body of this species consists of a pseudo cap and an elongated stem. The diameter of the upper part reaches 2-6 cm. Its shape is irregular, round-disc-shaped with the edges turned upwards, which in appearance resembles a glass. However, there are specimens similar to a saddle, since their pseudo-hat is flattened on both sides. Inside, the surface is smooth and light in color, and on the outside it is fuzzy-pimpled, and its color is darker, ranging from brown to purple. Due to the structure of the upper part, water is often collected in it.
The flesh of the long-legged lobe is watery thin. It crumbles easily even with little physical impact. It has a gray tint at the fracture, which does not change upon contact with air. There is no pronounced mushroom smell.
The leg reaches a length of 3-6 cm, depending on the age of the mushroom. The thickness of the lower part is 0.5 cm. Its shade is light gray, like the inside of a pseudo hat. The surface can be smooth or slightly bumpy. At the bottom, the leg is slightly thickened. When cut, you can see the cavity inside.
The hymenophore is located on the outside of the upper part. The spores are white in color, their size is 18 - 25 × 10.3 - 12.2 µm. They are elliptical or spindle-shaped.
Often, the leg of this lobule narrows in the upper part.
The long-legged lobe has a pronounced characteristic feature that sets it apart from other bowl-shaped relatives - an elongated narrow stem. However, it can be distinguished from less common representatives of this genus only by microscopic signs in laboratory conditions.
Where long-legged lobes grow
Long-legged lobe belongs to the category of saprotrophs, therefore, certain favorable conditions are necessary for its growth. For nutrition, he needs a substrate based on organic compounds, which are formed as a result of the decomposition of plant remains. Therefore, most often the long-legged lobe grows on half-rotten stumps and tree trunks, which are in the last stage of decomposition. It can also grow directly on soil rich in organic matter, in grass and moss.
This species grows in families of 4-10 specimens, but in exceptional cases it can be found singly.
This species can be found in mixed and deciduous forests in the central part of Russia and European countries.The representative belongs to the category of rare mushrooms.
The fruiting period of long-legged lobe begins in mid-summer and lasts until early October. Its duration depends on weather conditions.
Is it possible to eat long-legged lobes
Long-legged lobe is considered inedible. It cannot be eaten even after preliminary heat treatment. Although this fact remains in question, since special studies in this direction have not been carried out.
But, judging by the appearance and prevalence of long-legged lobe, it is unlikely that a mushroom picker (even a beginner) will want to collect and harvest it.
Conclusion
Long-legged lobe is a bright representative of the Helwell genus. It is considered little known among lovers of quiet hunting, as it belongs to the category of inedible. But it enjoys increased interest among mycologists.
This mushroom is rarely found in the forest, but if you managed to find it on occasion, you should not pluck it out of idle interest. It is better to admire him from the outside and allow the disputes to fully mature, which will allow him to leave behind offspring.
