Content
The webcap is widespread throughout the temperate latitudes of Russia, mainly in coniferous forests. Most mushrooms of this family are inedible or poisonous, so mushroom pickers bypass them.
What a big webcap looks like
A large or abundant webcap (Cortinarius largus), like many representatives of the Spiderweb family, is more often called a bog or a bogweed.
This member of the family has a fairly large body.
Outwardly, this species is nothing unremarkable, however, it differs from other members of the family in a very specific shade of the hymenophore, leg, upper part and pulp.
Description of the hat
It has a convex or convex-cushion shape and a light gray color with a lilac tint. Over time, it increases in size and can reach up to 10 cm in diameter.
The surface of the cap is smooth and dry
Under it there is a hymenophore with often located lilac plates. Over time, they take on a brownish or brownish color.
Leg description
It is located centrally, has a cylindrical shape, thickens and expands at the end, acquiring a clavate shape. At the base there are particles of the bedspread in the form of a ring. Color - light lilac at the base of the cap, downwards - light brown or brown.
The stem of the fruiting body does not contain cavities
The pulp is of medium density, without a characteristic odor and aftertaste, has a light lilac color, which eventually turns white.
Where and how it grows
Distributed in the temperate latitudes of Russia. Grows in deciduous or coniferous forests on sandstones (singly or in groups), forest edges (in families up to 30 pieces). The best time to harvest is September or mid-October. Often, fruits can be found at the end of October, even during the periods of the first frost.
Is the mushroom edible or not
The big webcap is edible in any form. Since its pulp does not have a certain smell and pronounced taste, the best option for using this product is in pickled or canned form.
Doubles and their differences
The swamp, like almost all edible specimens, has inedible twins.
Pantaloons silver differs in smaller size and light color (white or purple) hats and legs. The silver top is flat and has folds and bumps on the surface.
Silver webcap is an inedible mushroom
Slicker slime characterized by the presence of mucus on a brown cap and a white spindle-shaped leg
The slime webcap is a conditionally edible twin of the large webcap
Conclusion
A large webcap is definitely not the most popular mushroom, despite its good taste and large size. It is better for inexperienced mushroom pickers not to risk it and bypass it, as there is a chance to confuse these fruits with inedible species.
