Oak garlic (Marasmius prasiosmus) photo and description

Oak garlic (Marasmius prasiosmus)

Systematics:
  • Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
  • Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
  • Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
  • Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
  • Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
  • Family: Marasmiaceae
  • Genus: Marasmius (Negniichnik)
  • Species: Marasmius prasiosmus (Oak Garlic)
    Other names for the mushroom:
  • Oak firebrand

or

Oak firebrand

Oak garlic (Marasmius prasiosmus)

External description

Hat:

in a young mushroom, the cap has a bell-shaped shape, then the cap acquires a rounded-convex or outstretched shape. In the central part, it is slightly dull, wrinkled, semi-membranous. The diameter of the cap is from two to three centimeters. In damp weather, the edges of the cap become striped, the cap itself is dirty fawn or whitish. It is darker, brownish in the middle. As it matures, the cap fades to almost white, while the central part remains dark.

Plates:

poorly adherent, sparse, whitish, yellowish or creamy. Spore powder: white. Disputes: unequal, ovoid.

Leg:

long, thin leg, five to eight centimeters long and no more than 0.3 centimeters in diameter. Firm, creamy, brownish-cream or pinkish-creamy on top. The lower part is brownish, with a white pubescent base. Curved leg, slightly thickened towards the base. Usually the stem merges with the substrate.

Pulp:

the flesh in the cap is thin, light. It is characterized by a strong garlic smell.

Spread

The oak garlic is found in mixed and oak forests. It grows not often, on deciduous litter, usually under an oak tree. Fruiting annually from early September to mid-November. Especially massive growth is observed in October.

Edibility

The oak garlic is eaten fresh and pickled. After boiling, the garlic mushroom smell disappears. It is recommended to collect only mushroom caps. When dried, the mushroom smell does not disappear, so the garlic powder can be used as a seasoning throughout the year. In Western European cooking, this mushroom is highly prized as a spice.

Similarity

Garlic oak has similarities with the Common Garlic, from which it differs in growing conditions, large size and creamy color of the leg.

Video about the oak Garlic mushroom:

Remarks

The oak garlic is a rare edible lamellar mushroom. It grows in small groups from September until the first frost. The highest fruiting peak is observed in October. Mostly found in oak groves and mixed forests. Only caps are eaten, which can be fried, boiled or pickled and dried. After boiling, the garlic smell is not so strong.

Original text