English name:
Local name:
Description:
CAP: 3-15 cm. The cap is fleshy, in the beginning it is irregularly semi-circular, then irregularly convex, later it spreads and the older specimen can even be slightly indented. The cap margin in young mushrooms is turned downwards and it keeps the shape even in older mushrooms, although, usually it is wavy. It has a smooth surface, almost as fine as antelope skin, often with little humps, smaller soft bumps, dents or stripe-like ridges. It cracks open in dry seasons. The colour varies from white yellow, yellow to orange or light brown to reddish.
GILLS/LEAFLETS: It consists of spikes or needles which go down the stipe. The needles are very fragile, can be easily detached from the cap's flesh, up to 0.5 cm, the ones that go down the stipe are shorter. In the beginning they are white to creamy colour, later they become yellow orange and finally older mushrooms are reddish.
STIPE: up to 8 cm high and 4 cm thick. Mostly cylindrical, but it also forms irregular shapes, robust, hard, firm, eccentric (irregularly positioned compared to the cap), stubby, sometimes larger at the base and sometimes smaller. Smooth, sometimes cracked, white or pale-yellow, when touched or cut it becomes orange, especially at the base.
FLESH: Firm and thick but easily brake under pressure. Originally white but where it's cut it changes to yellow-orange colour. Without a particular odour, mild taste in young mushrooms, and bitter-peppery in older specimen.
Uses:
Usage:
Edible mushroom of great quality, having firm compact flesh and a particular aroma. Only young specimen can be harvested which are firm and juicy and whose spikes are still creamy-white colour. The flesh of older mushrooms becomes cork-like and bitter are is not good for eating. It is good when mixing with other mushrooms. It can be preserved by drying, blanching or frozen, and it is particularly suitable for pickling or it can be stored in oil. The prickles are also edible but they might ruin the aesthetic impression of the meal and can be easily removed for that reason. otherwise, there is not need.
