Soap row (Tricholoma saponaceum) photo and description

Soap row (Tricholoma saponaceum)

Systematics:
  • Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
  • Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
  • Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
  • Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
  • Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
  • Family: Tricholomataceae (Tricholomaceae or Ordinary)
  • Genus: Tricholoma (Tricholoma or Ryadovka)
  • Species: Tricholoma saponaceum (Soap row)

Synonyms:

  • Agaricus saponaceus;
  • Gyrophila saponacea;
  • Tricholoma moserianum.

Soap row

Mushroom Ryadovka soap (Latin Tricholoma saponaceum ) belongs to the genus of mushrooms of the Ryadovkov family. Basically, the family of these mushrooms grows in rows, for which it got its name.

Soapy ryadovka is named for the rather unpleasant odor of laundry soap emitted.

External description

The hat of a row of soap is initially hemispherical convex, later almost prostrate, polymorphic, reaching from 5 to 15 cm (occasionally 25 cm), smooth or scaly, wrinkled in dry weather, slightly sticky in wet weather, sometimes separated by small cracks. The color of the cap ranges from the more typical ocher-gray, gray, olive-gray to blackish brown with a blue or lead, sometimes greenish tint. The thin edges of the cap are slightly fibrous.

Together with a soapy smell, a reliable distinguishing feature of this mushroom is the pulp that turns red when breaking and has a rather bitter taste. The root-shaped stem of the fungus tapers downward. It is covered with small blackish scales.

Season and habitat of the fungus

Rowing soap is considered a widespread mushroom. The fungus is found in conifers (forms mycorrhiza with spruce) and deciduous forests, as well as meadows from late August to late October in large groups.

Similar types and differences from them

The soapy row in its appearance is very similar to the gray row, from which it differs in the darker color of the plates, the olive tones of the cap, pinkish pulp (in the leg) and a noticeable unpleasant odor. It differs from greenfinch in rare light (not greenish-yellow) plates and an unpleasant odor. It is also similar to the conditionally edible brown ryadovka covered with brown spots, growing mainly on humus soil under birches and having a pronounced mushroom smell.

Edibility

There are conflicting rumors about the edibility of this mushroom: some consider it toxic (a soapy line can cause an upset of the gastrointestinal tract); others, on the other hand, salt it with garlic and horseradish after boiling. When boiled, the unpleasant smell of cheap laundry soap from this mushroom only intensifies.