Coral mushroom: species where they grow, what they are called, edible or not, benefits and harms, photo

Mushrooms

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Kira Stoletova

The exotic representatives of the forest kingdom include the coral mushroom. It is listed in the Red Book of Russia. The organism grows in deciduous and mixed forests, creating mycorrhiza with beech, birch or pine, and is less common on alder and linden. Sometimes it is found on sick and weak plants.

Features of coral mushroom

Appearance and photo

Among all representatives, it has an exotic appearance - it has translucent lace branches and a shape reminiscent of coral. Representatives of the variety are distinguished by their irregularly shaped body, the presence of a large number of winding branches and shoots, as well as many folds.

The size may vary depending on the species: from 2 to 15 cm. The surface is most often white or pale yellow, there are bright yellow specimens. A photo of a coral mushroom gives a more visual idea of its appearance, complementing the description provided.

Morphology of coral fungi

The stem of the mushroom is massive and dense, planted deep in the ground, and has a white or yellowish tint. Its shape is cylindrical. The diameter is 7-10 cm. The pulp is fragile, light, dry, has a neutral or herbal odor, and may have a bitter aftertaste.

The branches are pointed, tapering upward, and may have comb-like tops. The fruiting body is very branched and bushy. Depending on the species, the branches may be forked or fan-shaped. Some species may have a spherical fruiting body consisting of many wavy plates. There are spores on one of the surfaces of the plates. The method of reproduction is through spore powder.

Eating

Not all types are intended for culinary use. The following are not eaten because of their pulp, which has a rubber-like consistency:

Kalocera sticky.
Xylaria hypoxylon.
Horn-shaped horn.

Other types are used in cooking, but only at a young age. Old mushrooms are very tough and are not suitable for cooking.

Rules and meeting places

The area in which they can be found is mixed and coniferous forests. They grow in places with high humidity, most often not on soil, but on putrid stumps and wood, and are found on the branches of deciduous trees (linden, birch, aspen). They can grow in groups or individually.

Note!

When collecting them, you must remember that you cannot destroy the root system. For safe collection, which will not lead to a reduction in the population, it is necessary to cut off only the above-ground part with a knife, without touching the roots or tearing them out of the ground. It is preferable to go out into the forest for them in the early hours of the day before they heat up under the sun. Once collected, they need to be processed and prepared as soon as possible.

You should not collect old and darkened specimens. In addition, if the summer turns out to be rainy, it is not recommended to collect and dry them: they will lose their taste and release toxins.

Geography of distribution

The geography of distribution covers those areas where the fungus on which Tremella parasitizes grows - this is Archer's annulogipoxylon (saprotrophic mushroom) or it will be old fallen branches and trunks of dead large-leaved trees, more often - the common Indian mango. Grows singly or in small colonies.

In Primorye Russia, Trimella fucus was found in oak groves.

Natural habitat includes tropical and subtropical regions including Asian countries, the Australian continent, Central America, the Pacific Islands and New Zealand.

Tremella fuciformis is grown artificially for culinary purposes.

Types, their descriptions and photos

Among coral mushrooms, there are several types that differ in appearance and taste. Coral mushrooms are most often white in color:

Alpine blackberry. This is an edible organism that has the following varieties: golden, yellow, reed, grape-shaped. Most often found in coniferous forests, on spruce stumps, pines and fir trees.
Alpine blackberry
Bear paw. It is distinguished by a surface that is covered with yellow spores, white pulp similar to marble, a dichotomous structure and a light herbal aroma. Its height reaches 20 cm, the central trunk produces 2 cylindrical processes.
bear paw
Rogatik reed. It can most often be found in conifers. The height is no more than 10 cm, the color is most often pale yellow. The shape of the sprouts vaguely resembles the shape of a human tongue.
Rogatik reed
Wrinkled Clavulina. The shoots resemble the horns of an animal, their tips becoming blunt as they grow. The diameter of the organisms reaches 0.4 mm and the height is 15 cm.
Wrinkled Clavulina

Difference from false, inedible mushrooms

There are several species that are similar in appearance to the coral mushroom, but are not eaten. The list of such types includes:

Kalocera sticky. The fruiting body of Kalocera is bushy, but weakly branched, colored dark yellow or orange. It grows both singly and in groups, and is found in forests from July to October. The species is inedible due to its viscous and rubbery flesh.
Kalocera adhesive
Xylaria hypoxylone. Representatives of the species, most often growing in bunches, are characterized by pointed branches forked upward, white flesh, and weak branching of the fruiting body. The pulp of Xylaria is too hard, which does not allow it to be used in cooking.
Xylaria hypoxylon
Rogatika horniform. The fruit body is fragile, covered with spores, can have a different color: from gray-yellow to bright orange, and its base is white. It is most widespread in forests with high levels of air humidity. The pulp is brittle and has a powdery odor.
Rogatik horn-shaped

Interesting Facts

Snow mushroom is one of the best-selling mushrooms in the world.
The average turnover of its sales is 130 tons. 100 years ago, ice cream was used in China as an excellent cough remedy. It was dried, crushed and brewed as tea. The medicine was very expensive for ordinary people, so they began to grow the mushroom at home.

The ice mushroom's favorite place to grow is oak sticks.

Coral mushrooms are quite unusual species in nature, many of them have become rare and are listed in the Red Book. If you are lucky enough to find one of these specimens in the forest, do not rush to tear it off completely, leave some to nature

Please note that tremella can be bred at home, and some entrepreneurs have made tremella cultivation a source of income. Having such a wonderful healing mushroom in your own garden is a great success

Useful properties and restrictions on use

Ice mushrooms are rich in vitamins, so they are often used in areas such as medicine and cosmetology. In medicine, they act as natural antibiotics and antidepressants; medications are made from them, thanks to which the body produces antibodies that destroy viruses and bacteria.

In addition, they are recommended for use in Alzheimer's disease. Chinese medicine includes their use as a treatment for tumors and a source of vitamins during the recovery period after chemotherapy. These mushrooms are also recommended for consumption in cases of nervous disorders and immunodeficiency.

Other useful properties are represented by the ability to:

lowering cholesterol levels;
relieving inflammation;
reducing exposure to radiation;
removal of toxins;
liver protection.

Despite the many positive effects these mushrooms have, there are a number of restrictions on their consumption:

Tendency to allergic reactions.
Use in a mono-diet. Due to the high protein content in this product, changes in metabolism and disruption of oxidative processes are possible. Their use in the diet should be moderate.
Rogatik reed
It is undesirable to eat mushrooms collected in areas with unfavorable environmental conditions. They easily absorb harmful substances, so collecting them and using them in cooking is not worth it.
They are strictly contraindicated for use by people with pancreatitis, dysbiosis and individual intolerance. They are not advisable in the diet of children under 14 years of age, since their enzymatic system has not yet fully formed.

The maximum frequency of using mushrooms in the diet for a healthy person is three times a week in moderate quantities.

Application in cosmetology

It is believed that ice mushrooms can make the skin hydrated, soft and elastic. Tremella is used in cosmetology in the form of extracts and tinctures. Ice mushroom extract can often be found in cosmetic products from famous companies. Trembling is also used in the home preparation of moisturizing and toning masks. Experts note that snow mushroom does not cause allergies and is absolutely safe.

Tremella deserves special attention when dealing with dry skin, as it has the amazing ability to moisturize it efficiently and effectively. Ice mushroom extract Mushroom Extract is actively used in the manufacture of masks, creams, and shampoos, since the 15 amino acids included in the preparation make it a truly unique product.

Recipes and cooking features

There are simple recipes that do not require large expenses and high culinary skills. For example:

Snack. To prepare it, in addition to 70 g of mushrooms, you will need sweet pepper, one fresh cucumber, sesame oil, a clove of garlic, three tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice. Cucumber, pepper and garlic need to be chopped very finely. Mushrooms must be poured with cold water for 15-20 minutes, salted, and then left in boiling water for 5 minutes.
Appetizer with coral mushroom
When they are ready, use a knife to cut off their yellowish part, which is located on the back side. Afterwards, mix all the ingredients, add lemon juice and oil, and leave to infuse for an hour. This appetizer can be eaten with meat, squid, crab and shrimp.
Coral mushrooms with meat. To prepare the dish you will need 100 g of mushrooms, green and onions (3 feathers and 1 onion), 2-3 cloves of garlic, salt and pepper to taste, a tablespoon of vegetable oil, a teaspoon of sesame oil, meat of your choice - pork, chicken or beef. Boil the mushrooms, washed in cold water, in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then drain them in a colander, rinse with cold water, and cut into equal parts.
Coral mushrooms with meat
Afterwards, put them in a deep bowl, sprinkle with pepper and salt. The meat should be cut into small pieces, salt and pepper, and let stand for 10 minutes. During this time, chop the onion and garlic, heat the olive oil in a frying pan, and fry the meat until it becomes golden brown. Then add the mushrooms and continue frying for another 5 minutes. Then remove the food from the heat, sprinkle with green onions and season with sesame oil. This dish is served with any side dish or as an addition to rice.

How to cook coral hedgehog

The hedgehog is large, it reaches 30-40 cm in width and height. It has white flesh with a faint odor and neutral taste.

Mushrooms can be fried, baked, prepared as first courses, salads and casseroles, and also marinated in a sauce made from vegetable oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and lemon juice. They are also suitable as filling components for pies.

Blackberries fried in sour cream are delicious. Preparation:

Soak the blackberries for 1 hour in warm water, then squeeze out the liquid well.
Cut the onion into small cubes. Fry until golden brown.
Chop the mushrooms into thin strips, add to the onion, simmer for 10 minutes. under a closed lid.
Add salt and pepper, add sour cream and continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes.

Sprinkle the finished dish with chopped herbs.