Alder pig (Paxillus rubicundulus)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Boletales
- Family: Paxillaceae (Piggies)
- Genus: Paxillus (Pig)
- Species: Paxillus rubicundulus (Alder pig (Aspen pig))
Synonyms:
Paxillus filamentosus
Aspen pig
The alder pig , also called the aspen pig, is a rather rare species, outwardly similar to the thin pig. It got its name because of its preference to grow under alder or aspen. Currently, the alder pig along with the fine pig are classified as poisonous mushrooms. However, some sources are still inclined to attribute it to conditionally edible mushrooms.
Description .
Hat : 5-10 cm in diameter, according to some sources up to 15 cm.In young mushrooms, it is convex with a bent edge, gradually flattens as it grows, becoming widespread or even with a depression in the center, funnel-shaped, with straight (according to some sources, wavy or corrugated ) edge, sometimes pubescent. The color of the cap varies in brown tones: reddish brown, yellowish brown or ocher brown. The surface of the cap is dry, it can be felt, velvety, large velvety; or may be smooth with ingrown or lagging dark (sometimes olive) well-defined scales.
Plates : Descending, narrow, of medium frequency, with bridges at the base, somewhat irregular, often forked, yellowish, ocher, slightly lighter caps in young mushrooms, slightly darker with age. Easily detached from the cap, darken at the slightest damage (pressure).
Leg : 2-5 cm (occasionally up to 7), 1-1.5 cm in diameter, central, more often slightly eccentric, somewhat narrowed towards the base, cylindrical, with a felt surface or smooth, ocher-brown, the same color as and a cap or slightly lighter, slightly darkens from pressure. Not hollow.
Flesh : Soft, firm, loose with age, yellowish, gradually darkens on the cut.
Smell : Pleasant, mushroom.
Spore powder : brown-red.
The alder pig has a resemblance to the thin pig, although it is rather difficult to confuse them, it is worth remembering that, unlike the thin one, the alder pig has a scaly-cracking cap and a more yellowish-red hue. They also strikingly differ in the place of growth.