Ezhoviki is the name of a large number of various mushrooms that belong to various families and childbirth. Almost all mushrooms of this species are distinguished by the presence of a studded hymenophore. They have some similarities with chanterelles. You can eat only mushrooms at a young age, when the pulp of light color and soft texture.
general description
The hat of most hedgehogs fluctuates in the range from 3 to 12 centimeters in diameter. However, there are representatives with a hat of 20 centimeters. The lower part of the hat is formed by pointed light needles that are easy to remove. Young mushrooms are distinguished by a convex shape of the hat, which straightens out with age. Some hedgehogs have the wrong hat shape. The edges of most species are bent inside.
The pulp of young mushrooms is dense with a pleasant aroma. The mature becomes a reddish shade.
The leg reaches a length of up to 6 centimeters with a diameter of not more than 2.5 centimeters. The shape of the legs is usually cylindrical with the expansion to the base. The color of the legs is lighter than the hats.
Territory of growth
The period of fruiting of the hedgehogs begins in the summer, and ends with the appearance of the first frosts. Growth peak falls on July. You can find these mushrooms in various deciduous, mixed and coniferous forests. Grow, as a rule, in groups on various soils.
The main species
At the moment, the hedgehog class includes about 16 different types of mushrooms, which differ in color, shape and size.
Consider the most remarkable types:
Yellow Ezhovik
This representative is an edible mushroom. The hat can reach 3 to 12 centimeters in diameter. Differs in density and fleshy. The surface of the mushroom is uneven, and the shape is wrong. Young mushrooms have a slightly convex hat with bent edges. With age, it acquires a flattened look with wavy edges. Hats can grow together with other mushrooms. The skin of the hat can be light-chry. When pressed, a darker color acquires.
The leg of this fungus ranges from 3 to 5 centimeters in height with a thickness of about 2 centimeters. Differs in a cylindrical form with extension down. The surface of the legs is white, but it becomes yellow with the age of the mushroom.
You can meet this mushroom on the territory of Eurasia, North America, the Far East and Siberia. Prefers to grow in deciduous and coniferous forests. Appears in early summer.
Ginger hedgehog
It is also an edible mushroom, whose hat has the wrong shape. The color of the skin of the hat is red-orange. The edges are bent. The surface of the hat is covered with small spikes that are easily removed.
The leg of the mushroom is quite thick and dense. Fleshy flesh with characteristic cream color. When pressed, the orange becomes.
A motley hedgehog
The hat of this mushroom can reach a diameter of 5 to 10 centimeters. Dry surface with the presence of large dark scales. Skin of a brownshaped hat. Young mushrooms have a velvety skin, and in the old ones it becomes just smooth. The shape of the hat is flat. Old mushrooms in the center have concave. The edges of the mushrooms are wavy. The pulp is white, but it can become gray as the mushroom grows. In young mushrooms, the pulp is quite dense and juicy, while in old mushrooms it becomes solid and dry.
The mushroom leg has a cylindrical shape with an extension downward. The height of the hat ranges from 2 to 5 centimeters with a thickness of not more than 1.5 centimeters. The leg is distinguished by gray with a brown base.
This is a conventional mushroom mushroom, which is fruit from August to October.
The coral hedgehog
This representative has a specific fruit body that looks like a coral branch. Color is predominantly white or with a pinkish tint. The pulp of this mushroom is also white, but it can turn yellow with age. There is no characteristic smell.
Corallovic hedgehogs grow on stumps and shaft trunks. Young mushrooms can be eaten, but it is forbidden to collect them, since they are listed in the Red Book.
Runny hedgehog
A remarkable mushroom, the fruit body of which can reach 20 centimeters with a weight of about 1.5 kilograms. The whole shape of this mushroom is wrong and rounded. Skin color can be purely white or beige. The pulp of the mushroom is juicy and fleshy, acquires a yellow color when dried.
Ezhovik crested rather rare mushroom, which grows on the trunks of living or dead trees. In particular, on oaks, birches and oaks. In Eurasia, it is found in the territory of the Amur Region, the Khabarovsk Territory, the Primorsky Territory and Crimea. Can grow in China. The fruiting period lasts from August to October.
Curly geritius
This mushroom is also known as the Uskikovye Ezhovik. Its fruit body is represented only by a white or pink hat. Old mushrooms of this species become yellow. The upper part of the hat is covered with spikes. The edges of the fringe. The pulp of the mushroom is rather soft white or pinkish. When drying, it acquires a yellow color.
You can eat exclusively young mushrooms. The growth period lasts from July to September. It is found on the territory of the northern hemisphere in mixed and broadleaved forests.
Therapeutic properties of the mushrooms of the hedgehogs
Yezhovik mushrooms have been studied quite weakly, however, recent studies argue that the use of these mushrooms helps to combat senile dementia and protects against memory problems. You use a crested hedgehog to combat leukemia and as a prevention of cancerous diseases.
