Rhizopogon pinkish (Rhizopogon roseolus) photo and description

Rhizopogon pinkish (Rhizopogon roseolus)

Systematics:
  • Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
  • Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
  • Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
  • Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
  • Order: Boletales
  • Family: Rhizopogonaceae (Rhizopogonaceae)
  • Genus: Rhizopogon (Rizopogon)
  • Species: Rhizopogon roseolus (Rhizopogon pinkish)
    Other names for the mushroom:
  • Truffle turning pink
  • Red truffle

Other names:

  • Truffle turning pink
  • Red truffle

Rizopogon Pinkish

Fruit body:

the fruit bodies of the fungus have an irregularly rounded or tuberous shape. Most of the fungus is formed underground; only single dark strands of mycelium are visible on the surface. The mushroom is about one to five centimeters in diameter. The peridium of the fungus is initially white; when pressed or in air, the peridium acquires a red tint. In a ripe mushroom, the peridium is olive-brown or yellowish.

The outer surface of the fungus is thin white, then becomes yellowish or olive brown. When pressed, it turns red. The surface of the fruiting body is velvety at first, then smooth. The inner part, in which the spores are located, is fleshy, oily, dense. At first, it is whitish and then becomes yellowish from mature spores or brownish-greenish. The pulp does not have a special smell and taste, with a large number of narrow winding chambers, two to three centimeters in length, which are filled with spores. In the lower part of the fruiting body there are whitish roots - rhizomorphs.

Disputes:

yellowish, smooth, fusiform and elliptical. There are two drops of oil along the edges of the spores. Spore powder: light lemon yellow.

Spread:

Pinkish Rizopogon is found in spruce, pine and pine-oak forests, as well as in mixed and deciduous forests, mainly under spruce and pine trees, but also under other tree species. Grows in soil and on deciduous litter. Not common. Grows shallow in soil or on its surface. It often grows in groups. Fruiting from June to October.

Similarity:

Rhizopogon pinkish to some extent resembles Rhizopogon vulgaris, which is distinguished by a gray-brown color and fruit bodies that do not redden when pressed.

Edibility:

little-known edible mushroom. It is eaten only at a young age.

Notes:

This mushroom is not often found, as most of it grows underground. A distinctive feature of this species is that its fruiting body in the air and when damaged becomes pinkish-red or red-brown in color. It was this feature that gave the name to this species.