Late mushrooms: how they look and when to collect
If we talk about the appearance of winter mushrooms, they are somewhat different from spring, autumn and summer. Firstly, later representatives of this species lack flakes on a hat and a “ring-skirt” on a leg. I must say that such features are central to the definition of edible mushrooms. However, in winter fruiting bodies, everything is different. Secondly, the photo shows that the late mushrooms have a brighter and more saturated color, unlike other species.
So, their shade ranges from yellow to honey-brown or dirty orange. In young specimens, the cap has a small hemispherical shape, which fully opens with age and becomes similar to an open umbrella. In diameter, the size of the hat of an adult mushroom averages 5–7 cm. Throughout the life of the mushroom, the surface of the hat remains smooth without any scales.
The plates under the cap of winter mushrooms have different lengths and are located quite rarely. Their color can be white, light yellow or dark yellow. The pulp of the fruiting body is white or yellowish with a pleasant mushroom smell.
As for the legs of late honey agarics, their height is 2-7 cm. They have a dense structure and a characteristic brown-velvety hue. As already noted, there is no ring on the leg of this species.
When do late mushrooms appear in the woods?
Before you know when you can collect late mushrooms, you need to find out where they grow. I must say that winter honey agaric grows in large families, often fused around a stump or tree. Most often it can be found in temperate and northern latitudes. Like other types of edible mushrooms, winter representatives choose mostly “damaged” as well as weak trees and stumps for the “settlement”. These mushrooms do not bypass parks, forest edges, gardens and territory along streams. Dead or rotting wood, broken branches and rotten stumps - all this is a "paradise" for the habitat of late mushrooms. Basically, this applies to deciduous trees, in particular: aspen, oak, birch, beech, ash, poplar, willow, acacia, etc. However, they are often found on stumps or trunks of pine, fir and spruce. Winter mushrooms collected in the coniferous forest have a bitter, tarry taste. But this does not prevent some mushroom pickers from making amazing dishes from them and making tasty preparations.
It is worth noting that for many fans of "silent hunting" this type of fruiting bodies is one of the most desirable, because it completely lacks false counterparts. Yes, and confuse it with other representatives of the mushroom "kingdom" is almost impossible. So when do late mushrooms appear in our forests? If honey mushrooms are called late or winter, it is logical to conclude that they grow in the cold season. So, this period begins from the month of October and ends with a spring drop.It turns out that the late mushrooms grow when all the other representatives of this species cease to bear fruit.
The abundant fruiting of winter mushrooms can be seen during periods of winter thaws. And sometimes they are met right under a layer of snow. And if in winter a warm and favorable climate is established, then honey mushrooms will bring a generous harvest throughout this time. In wet weather, winter mushroom hats become slimy and slippery.
When does the late mushroom season begin?
One important feature of winter mushrooms is resistance to frost. At minus temperatures, fruit bodies are covered with ice, however, even in small sunlight, they thaw and continue to grow. Such mushrooms can be safely collected in your basket. Knowing when the season of late mushrooms begins, you can plan hiking in the forest not only in summer and autumn. I must say that such mushrooms are perfect for freezing at home, because they practically do not lose useful and nutritious properties. However, it must be remembered that for these fruiting bodies it is necessary to carry out a thorough treatment - soaking and boiling in salted water.
There are also late autumn mushrooms, which are not found every year in the forest. They differ from ordinary ones in that they grow after sudden autumn frosts. If after short frosts warming or the so-called “Indian summer” sets in, they begin to grow. In appearance, this late mushroom resembles a white mushroom, however it is smaller in size and has a membrane at the bottom of the cap. Usually, the fruiting time of such mushrooms is in late October and early November. Many experienced mushroom pickers who came across late autumn honey mushrooms note that they are incredibly tasty and fragrant.
