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For the first time, they learned about crested lepiota in 1788 from the descriptions of the English scientist, naturalist James Bolton. He identified her as Agaricus cristatus. Crested lepiota in modern encyclopedias is classified as the fruiting body of the Champignon family, the genus Crested.
What do crested lepiots look like?
Lepiota has other names as well. People call it an umbrella, as it is very similar to the umbrella mushrooms, or silverfish. The latter name appeared because of the plates on the cap, similar to scales.
Description of the hat
This is a small mushroom with a height of 4-8 cm. The size of the cap is 3-5 cm in diameter. It is white, in young mushrooms it is convex, resembling a dome. Then the hat takes the shape of an umbrella, becomes concave-flat. In the middle there is a brown tubercle, from which brownish-white scales in the form of a scallop diverge. Therefore, they call the crested lepiota. The pulp is white, it crumbles easily, while the edges turn pinkish-red.
Leg description
The leg grows up to 8 cm. The thickness reaches up to 8 mm. It has the shape of a hollow white cylinder, often pinkish in color. The leg thickens slightly towards the base. Like all umbrellas, there is a ring on the stem, but as it matures, it disappears.
Where do crested lepiots grow?
Crested lepiota is one of the most common species. It grows in the Northern Hemisphere, namely, in its temperate latitudes: in mixed and deciduous forests, in meadows, even in vegetable gardens. Often found in North America, Europe, Russia. It grows from June to September. Propagated by small whitish spores.
Is it possible to eat crested lepiots
Crested umbrellas are inedible lepiots. This is evidenced by the unpleasant smell that comes from them and resembles something rotten garlic. Some scientists believe that they are poisonous and cause poisoning if ingested.
Similarities with other species
Crested lepiota is very similar to these mushrooms:
- Lepiota chestnut... Unlike comb, it has scales of red, and then chestnut color. With maturation, they appear on the leg.
- White toadstool causes poisoning, often leading to death. Mushroom pickers should be scared off by the unpleasant smell of bleach.
- Lepiota white, which also causes poisoning. It is slightly larger than the comb umbrella: the size of the cap reaches 13 cm, the leg grows up to 12 cm.The scales are rarely located, but also have a brown tint. Below the ring, the leg is darker.
Symptoms of poisoning mushroom picker
Knowing the poisonous species of fruit bodies, it will be easier to identify edible mushrooms, among which there are umbrellas. But if a poisonous specimen of the fungus is ingested, the following symptoms appear:
- severe headaches;
- dizziness and weakness;
- heat;
- pain in the abdomen;
- upset stomach;
- nausea and vomiting.
With severe intoxication, the following may appear:
- hallucinations;
- drowsiness;
- increased sweating;
- hard breath;
- violation of the rhythm of the heart.
If a person, after eating mushrooms, has at least one of these symptoms, it can be determined that he has been poisoned.
First aid for poisoning
The appearance of the first signs of mushroom poisoning is a reason to call an ambulance. But before the arrival of the medical machine, you need to provide the patient with first aid:
- If the patient vomits, you need to give a lot of water or a solution of potassium permanganate. The fluid removes toxins from the body.
- With a chill, wrap the patient in a blanket.
- You can use drugs that remove poisons: Smecta or activated carbon.
With mild intoxication, first aid is sufficient, but to exclude severe consequences, you should contact the clinic.
Conclusion
Crested lepiota is an inedible mushroom. Although the degree of its toxicity has not yet been fully understood, this fruiting body is best avoided.
