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Having noticed a spherical, inexperienced mushroom picker in the forest, most likely, he will not understand that he has a mushroom representative under his feet, though so rare that any mycologist would envy that he was lucky to see him.
Unique legless mushroom
The spherical sarcosome is admired even by scientists, it is so unusual, and although it is considered inedible, it brings invaluable benefits to people.
It belongs to the ascomycetic representatives of the sarcosome family. She has another name - spherical bulgaria.
The fruiting body of the fungus itself is quite large and, as the name confirms, spherical, but sometimes it happens in the form of a bulb or cone. A young specimen may have a cylindrical shape. The height of the fungus can reach from 3 to 9.5 cm, in diameter is from 3 to 8 cm.
The upper part is saucer-shaped, and at the top, in the very middle of the body, is hymenia, which has a black-brown or completely dark shade and is a jelly-like or so-called leathery film. The hymenium is slightly pressed inward to preserve the contents of the fungus.
Externally, the spherical sarcosome is very similar to a pot-bellied small barrel with a neck filled with a clear, light liquid. It looks like a fairy-tale hero of the magic forest. The color of the fruiting body is often brown or dark brown, but the bottom is always darker.
The fruit body has a soft consistency, the skin is soft, smooth and velvety. The surface is uneven. It may be moderately wrinkled or completely wrinkled in older specimens. At the base, large hyphae are visible - rhizomorphs, which last only a few centimeters.
Why the fungus needed this watery consistency, scientists still argue. Once they thought that it was spore-bearing, but it turned out that the formation of spores takes place in the asci (they have the form of cylinders). They are located on a surface resembling a cover. It is assumed that when the mushroom reaches a certain age, the liquid enters the bags. Because of this, they are torn, and the spores are outside. There is also an opinion that this liquid is necessary for the sarcosome as a food and to increase its size so that extra forces are not wasted to add mass.
The scattered spores then begin to sprout, but can quickly die if there are no appropriate conditions.
Mushrooms usually live no more than 60 days. When they swell, they burst quite quickly, and this is the most compelling reason why it is rarely possible to meet a mushroom that has survived to old age. During his life, he undergoes amazing changes, many of his secrets have not been solved until the end, so he always attracts the attention of scientists.
Places of distribution
The favorite habitat of the fungus is coniferous forests. There are always a lot of fallen needles and an abundance of moss - the most attractive conditions for spherical sarcosome. Since, in fact, these are saprophytes, they are always in dense grass, and therefore it is difficult to find mushrooms.But, if one is found, it means that there may be another 8 - 10 pieces nearby. They grow individually, but they can also grow together.
It is believed that if you need a plentiful crop of mushrooms, then it is possible to collect it only once every 8 to 10 years. Collect it in late April and May. In Siberian regions, these mushrooms can be found immediately after the snow cover has disappeared. They grow in Europe, and also have, as you know, the Arctic-Alpine distribution.
This mushroom is listed in various regions of Russia in the Red Book. Due to its uniqueness, the spherical sarcosome is not similar to any other species, so it is impossible to confuse it with another fungus.
Healing properties and medical use
Use this mushroom folk healers. Their liquid is especially attractive. As it turned out, it is rich in valuable substances - amino acids, as well as fatty acids useful for the human body. Excellent medicinal products for treating radiculitis and relieving nervous tension are obtained from ground oil. Many doctors are sure that it has a mushroom and a quick anti-aging effect, helps accelerated hair growth, therefore it is actively used by cosmetologists. From this mushroom ointments and tinctures are prepared, as well as effective decoctions and masks.
It is believed that spherical sarcosome can fight cancer cells and stimulate brain activity.
Video: Sarcosome globular (Sarcosoma globosum)
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