Top 20 Edible Mushrooms Popular in Prato
Beautifully nestled amidst the grandeur of nature, Prato is a city known for its thriving habitat, ideal for mushroom cultivation. A diverse range of edible mushrooms can be found here, owing to the city's unique climate and terrain. In this editorial, we aim to acquaint you with the top 20 most common edible mushrooms found in this region, exploring their distinctive appearances, flavors, preferred habitats, and culinary applications. Step into the mystic world of mycology with us, and learn what makes these Prato's prized fungi so exceptional.
* Disclaimer: Content feedback CAN NOT be used as any basis for EATING ANY PLANTS. Some plants can be VERY POISONOUS, please purchase edible plants through regular channels.
Most Popular Edible Mushrooms
1. Big sheath mushroom
These large white mushrooms bloom all over cleared, harvested fields, as well as pastures and roadsides. The scientific species name comes from Greek words meaning “glue” (glioio) and “head” (cephalus), in reference to the sticky surface of this mushroom’s cap. The big sheath mushroom looks so similar to the poisonous Deathcap and Destroying Angel mushrooms that it should always be left alone.
2. Parasol
Found in clearings and grassy areas in late summer, the wild parasol mushroom has a snakeskin-patterned stem. The brown spots on its cap make it look a bit shaggy, but that name is reserved for its poisonous counterpart, the Shaggy Parasol (Chlorophyllum rhacodes). You can distinguish the two by the stems: the latter has a smooth stem and red flesh inside.
3. Honey fungus
The honey fungus is a parasitic fungus that grows on the roots of many woody and perennial plants, damaging and possibly killing its host. It spreads underground and is considered to be the most damaging fungal disease in gardens across the UK. The appearance of the mushrooms above-ground heralds a much more extensive infection below.
4. Shaggy mane
The shaggy mane mushroom is commonly found in North American and European grasslands. Some peoples foraged for its young egg-shaped caps, but it has more recently been found to be a bioaccumulator of heavy metals, meaning it pulls toxic metals up from the soil where it grows. As a result, shaggy manes should not be eaten. The mushrooms usually appear in clusters or “fairy rings.”
5. Jelly ear
The distinctive jelly ear grows mainly through winter and spring, mostly on the dead trunks and branches of elder trees. It occurs around the world and is often cooked into dishes in Asian countries. This ear-shaped jelly mushroom is often available in stores both fresh and dried.
6. Blewit
The blewit mushroom grows in fallen leaves in autumn and winter, sometimes appearing in ‘fairy ring’ circles. It can be used to make a green dye when chopped and boiled in an iron pot. The scientific name, Lepista nuda, derives from Latin words meaning “bare goblet,” a reference to the shape and texture of the mushroom.
7. Oyster mushroom
Oyster mushrooms grow wild but are also cultivated for sale in supermarkets. They can even be cultivated at home. They will grow on coffee grounds and spent grain, and are occasionally even fashioned into an environmentally-friendly substitute for styrofoam. There are several toxic look-alike species, so it is best to buy these mushrooms at the store.
8. Blusher
The blusher mushroom is so named because it “blushes” to a pinkish red color when cut or bruised. It is found in many countries around the world, although it may not be native to the southern hemisphere. It contains a hemolytic toxin that can cause anemia if eaten.
9. Horn of plenty
The Craterellus cornucopioides is an edible and highly sought-after species of mushroom that is usually grouped with the chanterelles. It has a black, trumpet-like shape due to its highly upturned cap. Sometimes called the 'trumpet of the dead,' this is not a reference to danger, but rather an old European belief that these mushrooms spring up over the graves of the dead.
10. Bronze bolete
The bronze bolete is originally described from Europe. For many years, the species is thought to be present in North America as well, until molecular studies have shown that the North American counterpart, named Boletus regineus, was actually a different species. The bronze bolete is often found during hot and dry summer days. The specific Latin epithet "aereus" means "fitted with bronze" and it refers to the color of its velvety cap.
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