Serushka (Lactarius flexuosus)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Incertae sedis (undefined)
- Order: Russulales
- Family: Russulaceae (Russula)
- Genus: Lactarius (Miller)
- Species: Lactarius flexuosus (Serushka)
- Other names for the mushroom:
- Gray nest
- Milk gray-lilac
- Gray milky
- Seryanka
- Backrest
Other names:
- Winding milky
- Gray nest
- Milk gray-lilac
- Gray milky
- Seryanka
- Backrest
- Plantain
- Path
Serushka ( lat.Lactarius flexuosus ) is a mushroom of the genus Mlechnik (lat.Lactarius) of the russula family (lat.Russulaceae).
Description
The cap ∅ 5-10 cm, at first flat, somewhat convex, then funnel-shaped, with a noticeable tubercle in the middle, irregularly curved, with an uneven surface covered with small depressions. The edges of the cap are uneven, wavy. The skin is grayish in color with a lead tint, with darker narrow concentric rings, sometimes invisible. The leg is 5-9 cm in height, ∅ 1.5-2 cm, cylindrical, dense, at first whole, then hollow, the color of the cap or slightly lighter. The plates are thick, sparse, adherent at first, then descending along the pedicle, often sinuous. Spores are yellowish. The pulp is dense, whitish in color, at the break it abundantly releases a watery-white acrid milky juice that does not change color in air.
Variability
The color of the cap can vary from pinkish or brownish gray to dark lead. The plates can be from light yellow to cream and ocher in color.
Habitat
Birch, aspen and mixed forests, as well as in meadows, forest edges and along forest roads.
Season
From mid-summer to October.
Similar species
It differs from other representatives of the genus Lactarius in rare yellowish plates, uncharacteristic for lactosers.
Food quality
Conditionally edible mushroom, used salted.