Xerula root (Xerula radicata)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Physalacriaceae (Physalacriaceae)
- Genus: Hymenopellis (Hymenopellis)
- Species: Hymenopellis radicata (Xerula root)
- Other names for the mushroom:
- Udemanciella root
- Root money
- Collibia tailed
Synonyms:
Udemansiella root;
Collibia is tailed;
Root money;
Collybia radicata;
Odimansiella is radiant;
Oudemansiela radicata.
The current name is Hymenopellis radicata (according to Species Fungorum).
Xerula root attracts attention immediately, it is able to surprise with its appearance and is a very special species.
Hat: 2-8 cm in diameter. But, due to the very high leg, it seems that the hat is much smaller. At a young age, it has the shape of a hemisphere, in the process of maturation it gradually opens and becomes practically prostrate, while maintaining a noticeable tubercle in the center. The surface of the cap is moderately mucous with pronounced radial wrinkles. Changeable color, from olive, greyish-brown to dirty yellow.
Pulp: light, thin, watery, without much taste or smell.
Plates: moderately sparse, adhered in places in youth, then become free. The color of the plates as the mushroom matures ranges from white to grayish-cream.
Spore powder: white
Leg: up to 20 cm long, 0.5-1 cm thick. The leg is deep, almost 15 cm deep, immersed in the soil, often twisted, has a specific rhizome. The color of the stem ranges from brown at the bottom to almost white at the base. The pulp of the leg is fibrous.
Distribution: Xerula root is found from mid to late July. Sometimes it comes across until the end of September in various forests. Prefers tree roots and heavily decayed wood remains. Due to the long stem, the fungus forms deep underground and only partially crawls out to the surface.
Similarity: The appearance of the fungus is rather unusual, and the characteristic rhizome process does not allow Oudemansiella radicata to be mistaken for any other species. Udemansiella root is easy to identify due to its lean structure, tall growth and powerful root system. It looks like a long-legged Xerula, but the latter has a velvety hat, has pubescence.
Edible: In principle, Xerula root mushroom is considered edible. Some sources claim that the mushroom contains some healing substances. This mushroom can be safely eaten.
Notes: Xerula root is located at some distance from other types of mushrooms. It is easy to recognize it at first glance: a very long leg and a short hat create the impression that nails are coming out of the ground, hammered by someone unknown, it is even difficult to call it a mushroom.