Differences between lepiota and macrolepiota

differences between lepiota and macrolepiota

When it comes to collecting mushrooms, there is great confusion among fans who do not fully understand what the main ones are. differences between lepiota and macrolepiota. These are mushrooms that have different characteristics since one of them is toxic to humans. Therefore, it is important to learn all these differences to learn how to collect safely.

In this article we are going to tell you about the main differences between lepiota and macrolepiota, their main characteristics and tips for harvesting.

Differences between lepiota and macrolepiota

macrolepiota procera

The first thing is to know that the macrolepiotas are edible organisms while the lepiotas are toxic. Once we know the differences between lepiota and macrolepiota we have to know more about what their characteristics are. The macrolepiotas are the edible ones. Let's see the characteristics of the best known specimens:

macrolepiota procera

His hat is large, up to 25 cm in diameter, initially spherical, then convex, and finally flattened with a visible garnet in the middle. It has a dry cuticle covered with large dark brown scales on a beige or white background. The laminae are numerous, tight, wide, belly-shaped, white and beige when aged.

As for the stem, it is tall, cylindrical, widened at the base, with a large bulb at the end, semi-buried, fibrous, hollow, light brown in color, which develops a zigzag pattern on a lighter background as it grows larger. the surface. It is tall, double, with a membranous ring, mobile at maturity, white above and brown below, with torn edges. It has a lean, scarce, white meat, soft on the top of the head, fibrous on the legs, pleasant in taste and smell.

This macrolepiota can be found in various habitats, roadsides, ditches, meadows, meadows, chestnut forests, pine forests and cork oak forests in autumn and spring. It is considered excellent for edibility, especially in the eyelids of specimens that have not been fully opened. If we look at the foot patterns, it is difficult to confuse it with other species of the genus.

Macrolepiota rhacodes

macrolepiota

The cap is first hemispherical or conical, then becomes convex and finally unfolds, usually without a mamelon, unlike the procera. Its size ranges between 5 and 15 cm in diameter. Its surface is covered with gray fluff with large brown scales, somewhat raised. The meat is white and red when split, an important fact that distinguishes the species.

The foot is thin, gray-ochre in color, gradually becoming transparent. Its ring is removable and its bulbous base. It can be found in the summer and autumn seasons, usually in coniferous forests, but also in deciduous forests. This Macrolepiota is considered to be of the same quality as Macrolepiota procera. However, it can be confused with other lepiotas whose meat turns red and can cause mild poisoning.

macrolepiota excoriata

His hat reaches 4 to 12 cm in diameter, at first closed, conical to convex, then flattened with a slight mamelon. Its cuticle is covered with sheets and the edges are scarcer, from where it breaks into stars. It is cream or hazelnut in color with a rather whitish background. Its borders are redundant, irregular and protruding.

The feet are cylindrical, slender, curly at the base, smooth, and white to beige in color. Their rings are simple, membranous and durable on the feet. Its meat, like all the others, is thin and the cap is tender, but the legs are fibrous. It is white in color, has a sweet taste and a pleasant smell.

It can be easily found in habitats such as grasslands and meadows, in autumn and spring. ANDThis species is considered to be of good edibility, especially young specimens that are fully open.

Mastoid macrolepiota

His hat is medium in size, up to 14 cm. diameter. It is conical or spherical when young and later expands into a bell shape. The cuticle in adulthood is cream colored turning brown with small black scales that are randomly distributed. In the center, the mamelon is dark brown until the cuticle separates easily from the pulp.

The feet are centered, cylindrical and hollow fibrous. On the straight side, it is slender in relation to the hat, reaching 18 cm. The length and thickness are 0,5 to 1 cm. diameter. At its base there is a fairly pronounced corm development that tapers towards the apex. The color of the feet is white and they are covered in a creamy brown felt that is more pronounced at the top.

The meat is whitish, soft and thick to the touch, while the hat is thin. It is relatively rare in size, has a fungal odor and a very pleasant mild sweetness. The feet are fibrous and not very consistent.

It is a fairly common species and grows in any habitat, such as clearings in various forests, roadsides or meadows. We can find it in autumn, we can see it alone or in small groups, but it stops appearing once the first cold weather arrives. It's good food, but it has very little meat. Cases of mild allergic digestive disorders have been reported.

lepiotas

main differences between lepiota and macrolepiota

Among the differences between lepiota and macrolepiota we have seen that lepiotas are poisonous and toxic to humans. Let's see which are the main ones:

Lepiota helveola

The hat measures between 2 to 7 cm in diameter at best. It changes color from light brown to reddish brown and is covered in darker scales that are smooth around the edges, except for the discs, which remain smooth.

The maximum length of the foot is between 3 and 5 cm and the thickness between 0,3 and 0,8. Brittle when young, hairy, delicate and finally hollow, the same color as the cap, with scales below the ring. Its rings are membranous, thin, fleeting, ascending and externally brown or reddish brown. Its meat is white with a tendency to redden, especially when dried or rubbed, with a slight mealy smell. It has a mild flavor.

It can be found in autumn at the edges of forests and trails. It is a very poisonous species and can be fatal. That is why we must pay attention to this abundant species, which brings tragic news every year.

As a recommendation, Lepiotas with a cap less than four inches in diameter should never be collected.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about the differences between lepiota and macrolepiota.


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