Rhizina undulata (Rhizina undulata)
Other names:
- Wavy root ;
- Helvella inflata;
- Rhizina inflata;
- Rhizina laevigata.
Rhizina undulata is a mushroom belonging to the Helwell family, the Rizin genus and is its only representative.
External description
The fruiting body of the wavy rhizina is disc-shaped. In young mushrooms, it is spread and flat, gradually becoming convex, with an uneven and wavy surface. The color of this mushroom is brownish-chestnut, dark brown or red-brown. In young mushrooms, the edges of the fruiting body are slightly lighter from the middle, have a light = yellow or white edge. The underside of the wavy rhizin is characterized by an off-white or yellowish color, in mature mushrooms it becomes brown, covered with white (sometimes with a yellowish tinge) roots, called rhizoids. The thickness of these roots varies within 0.1-0.2 cm. Often the fruiting bodies of the described fungus merge with each other. The diameter of this mushroom is 3-10 cm, and the thickness is from 0.2 to 0.5 cm.
The mushroom pulp is very fragile, with a waxy surface, and has a reddish brown or ocher color. In mature mushrooms, it is more rigid than in young ones.
Rhizina wavy spores are characterized by a fusiform, elliptical shape. Narrow, at both ends have pointed appendages, often smooth, but sometimes their surface can be covered with small warts.
Season and habitat of the fungus
Wavy Rhizina (Rhizina undulata) is distributed throughout the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere of the planet. This mushroom occurs singly or in small groups, gives preference to growing in mixed or coniferous forests, bears fruit well in open and sunlit areas of the area, on sandy soils. Often found on scorched grounds, fireplaces and burnt-out areas. A fungus of this species can infect the roots of coniferous trees, whose age is 20-50 years. this parasitic fungus can also kill young seedlings of needles; larch and pine often suffer from it. However, note that the roots of deciduous trees are not affected by wavy rhizin.
Edibility
There are no exact data on the nutritional properties of wavy rhizin. Some mycologists consider this mushroom to be inedible or slightly poisonous, capable of causing mild eating disorders. Other mushroom pickers with experience speak of wavy rhizin as an edible mushroom suitable for consumption after boiling.
Similar types and differences from them
The mushroom wavy Rhizina (Rhizina undulata) is similar in appearance to the thyroid discina (Discina ancilis). True, in the latter, the lower part has incorrectly positioned visible veins, and the leg is shorter. Thyroid discina prefers to grow on deciduous trees.
Other information about the mushroom
Rizina wavy is a parasitic fungus, large colonies of which develop in forest fires and areas where fires were previously made. It is interesting that the spores of this fungus can remain in the soil for a long time and be inactive if the conditions are not created for their development. But as soon as the environment becomes favorable, the spores of wavy rhizin begin to actively develop. This process is greatly facilitated by the presence of a thermal environment (appearing, for example, when a fire is made at the location of mushroom spores). The optimum temperature for their germination is 35-45 ºC. If rizina wavy has no competitors nearby, it will quickly root trees. For several years, the activity of the parasitic fungus has been very active and leads to the mass death of trees in the area.After a long period of time (several years), the fruiting of wavy rhizin dies out.