Tinder fungus sulfur yellow - description of where it grows, poisonous mushroom

Sulfur yellow fungus is a species of mushrooms related to edible species (4 cat.). Many mushroom pickers know the tinder under a different, no less common name: chicken mushroom, which, in fact, quite aptly describes the taste qualities of representatives of this species.

Note that the appearance of the fungus is unique and more similar to the swaths of candle wax, densely encircling tree trunks.

Description

The fruit body is fleshy, friable, in fact it is a rather large group of entities fused together (fan-shaped form), while such an accumulation of mushroom bodies has a common basis. Young tinder fungus are characterized by smooth edges of the fruiting body, in mature specimens they are thinned. The surface is orange; it grows pale with growth and acquires a dirty ocher color. The tinder fungus is a rather large mushroom, reaching 40 cm in size, the thickness of the mushroom is up to 50 mm, and its weight is about 10 kg.

The lower part of the pseudo cap of the chicken mushroom has a characteristic tubular structure, the thickness of which does not exceed 5 mm. In young mushrooms, this layer is almost invisible, it can be distinguished thanks to the sulfur-yellow color. The spores are smooth and fairly wide, the shape is ellipsoidal, the color is light yellow.

The peculiarity of this type of tinder fungus is that all its parts are covered with a rare fluff of a characteristic cream shade. On the fruiting body of young mushrooms, one can often see the fluid released in the form of yellow droplets.

Spread

The distribution area of ​​tinder fungus of this species is an area with fairly mild climatic conditions. The type of soil does not actually matter for growth, since wood serves as a substrate for its growth (both damaged and living deciduous trees). Chicken mushroom harvesting period is spring / autumn.

This type of mushroom grows in a kind of spiral, densely enveloping the trunk of a tree. Distributed in Europe and North America.

Edibility

Chicken fungus of the fungi family is considered conditionally edible, therefore it can be used for cooking a variety of dishes, however, when preparing it, some recommendations should be kept in mind.

First of all, it should be borne in mind that only young specimens that are cut from deciduous trees can be eaten. This is due to the fact that young tinder men have a very delicate pulp, while the taste is slightly sour, it resembles a lemon. In the process of growth of chicken mushroom, the latter changes not only its color - the flesh becomes too stiff, acquires a very unpleasant specific smell due to the presence of toxins in the fruit body.

Also, when preparing a tinder fungus, an important condition is proper heat treatment, after which the mushroom should not change its main color.

It should be borne in mind the fact that mushrooms of this species should not be consumed in large quantities even after a rather long heat treatment. This is due to the fact that with excessive use of this type of mushroom an allergic reaction is possible, the appearance of nausea, dizziness. It is also not recommended to use chicken mushroom for children, women during pregnancy and lactation.

Important! The sulfur-yellow tinder fungus growing on spruce trees should in no case be eaten - severe poisoning is possible.

Features of the collection

An experienced mushroom picker easily determines where edible and healthy mushrooms are, and where their poisonous and dangerous analogues are. If you are not sure that you have a fungus mushroom in front of you, in this case it is better to bypass it.

Chicken mushroom is harvested from late spring to early September inclusive. You can find it not only in deciduous forest plantations, but also in city parks and squares.

Only young specimens are collected for further processing, which differ from adult mushrooms in a more juicy and vibrant color, soft pulp.

The fruit body is cut with a mushroom knife at the very base, while the solid part is not affected. The color of the fruit body on the slice should be white, the pulp itself is soft. The taste of the tinder fungus is slightly sour, more reminiscent of a lemon, the smell is pronounced mushroom. Note that the most delicious tinder grow in orchards.

The properties

Chicken mushroom has long been known for its beneficial properties, which is why it is used in traditional medicine.

1. The fungus contains a sufficient amount of substances such as glucan compounds, the main task of which is the binding of heavy metal ions.
2. The biochemical composition implies the presence of polysaccharides that effectively affect the body - antitumor properties, which helps in the fight against many oncological diseases.
3. The fungus tinder fungus contains eburicoic acid, which is responsible for regulating the endocrine system, activating metabolic processes.
4. Amino acids, a complex of micro and macro elements, lipids and vitamins exert a general strengthening effect on the human body, improve the functioning of the heart.
5. The high effectiveness of the use of chicken mushroom in the treatment of the respiratory system is noted.
6. Those people who are engaged in vegetable growing, a tinder fungus will help in solving a problem such as late blight (this disease often affects the reproductive organs of vegetables).

What to consider

In order that the natural medicine does not harm the body and does not cause a deterioration in well-being, all extracts, powders, as well as tinctures based on this type of tinder should be used with utmost care, following all instructions exactly, in no case exceeding the recommended dosages. In addition, it is advisable to consult a specialist (attending physician) before using traditional medicine, the main component of which is a sulfuric yellow tinder fungus.

In some cases, the tinder fungus is used to repel a variety of insects (for this, the smoldering fruit body of the fungus is used). Nevertheless, it is important to consider that prolonged inhalation of the combustion products of this type of mushroom can lead to hallucinations, which is caused by the presence of tarry substances in it.

Chicken mushroom is contraindicated for women during the period of bearing a child due to the possible toxic effects on the developing fetus.

Subject to a few recommendations, simple rules for the collection of this type of mushroom, its mandatory heat treatment and preparation, as well as the correct use as a home medicine, the tinder fungus will not harm the body, but rather will bring it significant benefits.

Video: sulfuric yellow tinder (Laetiporus sulphureus)