The bearded mushroom is able to surprise everyone who saw it for the first time. It's funny, but only a few can recognize the inhabitants of the mushroom kingdom in it. The reason for this is its appearance. Looking at the bearded man point-blank, you will sooner decide that you have a fabulous animal in front of you, rather than a motionless growth on a tree. However, this is really a mushroom, though with a lot of oddities and surprises.
general information
The bearded mushroom, or crested hedgehog, is a unique representative of the Hericia family, of the order Russula. Its main feature is its unusual appearance, which is atypical for mushrooms of this order. It was she who served as the reason for such colorful common names as "mushroom-bearded man", "lion's mane", "grandfather beard", "mushroom-noodles" and "mushroom Pom-Pom." Scientists call it the combed hedgehog, or Hericium erinaceus.
Spread
This is a very rare mushroom - its number is rapidly falling every year. The reason for this is environmental pollution, large-scale deforestation and unreasonable collection by people. To date, the combed blackberry is on the verge of extinction, and therefore it is listed in the Red Book.
In the natural environment, the fungus can be found in North America, Russia and China. In particular, he prefers zones with a temperate, warm climate. For example, if we talk about our Motherland, then the “lion's head” can be seen in the Primorsky Territory, Amur Region, Crimea, as well as in the deciduous forests of Khabarovsk.
Appearance
For those who want to understand what a bearded mushroom looks like, a photo is the best option. Indeed, without it, it is quite difficult to recreate the verbal image, at least remotely resembling the amazing appearance of the mushroom. And yet, if you decide to do this, it is best to imagine a white hedgehog or a mountain of vermicelli attached to a tree trunk. Agree, a rather unusual picture turns out.
If we talk about sizes, then the crested hedgehog on average grows to 20-25 cm in diameter. At the same time, its white processes “needles” can reach 6-8 cm in length. Such a miracle weighs about 1-1.5 kg, which is very impressive. However, such standards apply only to wild-growing specimens - the bearded mushroom bred on the farm can have much larger sizes and weight.
The body of a combed hedgehog is dense. Inside, the pulp is painted in a white or cream shade, without any impurities. And only at the end of his life, when the mushroom begins to dry, it acquires yellow tones.
Bearded Wood Mushroom: Habitat
Today you can meet a combed blackberry only in remote regions. It does not tolerate any air pollution, and therefore it rarely grows in roadside zones. So, everyone who wants to find him must get used to the idea that the hunt can drag on for several days. True, many are ready to make such a sacrifice, if only to see live how the bearded mushroom grows. A photo of this beauty is truly a glorious award proving the perseverance and perseverance of any naturalist.
So where to find him? Deciduous forests located far from the city and major highways are best suited. In this case, you should look for areas with high humidity, since the blackberry does not tolerate drought. For example, you can search the area around ponds, rivers, lakes or swamps.
As for the trees, in our region most often the bearded mushroom grows on oak, beech or birch, and he likes the latter most of all. The “lion's head” is illegible in the wood, and therefore can grow both on a healthy trunk and on a rotten one. Most often, only one mushroom lives on a tree, but there are exceptions.
Gourmet dish
Mushroom noodles are very popular in the culinary world. The reason for everything is its extraordinary shape and excellent taste. Some gourmets claim that the flesh of the mushroom tastes somewhat like shrimp. You must admit that many people will like such a treat, especially considering the fact that this is a dietary food.
It is not surprising that the combed blackberry is on the menu of many prestigious restaurants. At the same time, it is fed both after heat treatment and in raw form. The only negative is the high price of such a dish. But for those who love new tastes and sensations, this is not such a huge barrier.
Healing properties
In China, doctors have long used bearded mushroom in their practices. The beneficial properties of this vegetable "hedgehog" are well known to them. In particular, it was they who told the world that the blackberry is able to help a person with sclerosis. Also, this knowledge has helped pharmacists to produce the medicine needed to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease.
In addition, the fungus has an anti-inflammatory effect. In Russia, healers used it to treat stomach diseases and tumors. There is also evidence that bearded mushroom extract is used in studies looking for a cure for cancer.
