Content
Fringed starfish, or sitting, is a mushroom of the Zvezdovikov family. The name comes from the Latin words "earth" and "star". It resembles an egg or ball with a diameter of 1 to 4 cm, which is located on the "petals". The surface is covered with yellowish mycelium.
A young representative of the Zvezdovikov family sitting in the needles
What does a fringed starfish look like?
The young fruiting body has the shape of a ball. As it grows, the outer shell of the fruiting body bursts and opens up in the form of flower petals. Sometimes they are straight, but more often the ends are turned up. They can twist and deform. The petals are white at first. As it grows, it acquires a brownish color. In appearance, a mature specimen resembles a star up to 15 cm in size. The inner part is a round-type spore-bearing sac, in a thin shell, without a leg, of a light ocher color. There are spores inside the spore sac.
The surface of the spore is warty, spherical. Spores come out through the hole at the top. Has a tough pulp, without a pronounced mushroom smell and taste.
An adult starlet perched on fallen needles
Where and how it grows
This representative is considered a cosmopolitan. Has a very wide area of distribution. Most often it can be found in coniferous forests, less often in deciduous ones. It practically does not grow in open places. The period of active growth is from August to the end of autumn. Slightly degradable. Can be found even in winter.
Is the mushroom edible or not
Although some mushroom enthusiasts find young specimens of this variety fit for human consumption, there is no evidence that this is not harmful to the human body. Adult fruiting bodies are considered inedible and are not used for cooking.
Doubles and their differences
Has several doubles. Among them, the most common:
- Schmidel's starman. Quite a rare specimen. Grows in desert soil and woody debris. The fruiting body is up to 8 cm, located on a platform of pointed leaves. It is considered a conditionally edible representative, the fruit value is low.
- The star is small. It has a small size, up to 1.8 cm. It has 6-12 petals of a beige-gray shade. Conditionally edible specimen.
Conclusion
Fringed starfish has a wide areola of distribution, outwardly resembles a star. The pulp is tough, without mushroom odor and taste. Has several counterparts. Young mushroom is eaten, but it has no special nutritional value. An adult is considered inedible.
