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Wine cap stropharia

Stropharia rugosoannulata

A species of Roundheads, Also known as Wine cap, Wine roundhead, Godzilla mushroom

These large mushrooms have distinctive red caps when young, but the color soon fades to brown as they mature. Rare in the wild, wine cap stropharia are highly regarded among foragers as a desirable edible mushroom. Discard any specimens with holes in the stalk or caps, as flies use them to lay eggs. They are also cultivated.

Cap Diameter:

4 - 15 cm

Odor:

Mild, generally earthy, not very distinctive.

General Info About Wine cap stropharia

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Attributes of Wine cap stropharia

Cap Diameter

4 - 15 cm

Height

10 - 20 cm

Cap

Cap 4 - 13 cm; convex to nearly flat; wine red to reddish brown, yellowish brown or yellowish; smooth to finely scaly

Cap Shape

Convex, Bell-shaped, Flat

Cap Surfaces

Smooth, Slimy or slightly sticky

Gills

Attached; close or nearly crowded; whitish to pale gray at first, becoming purplish gray to purple-black

Gill Attachment

Attached

Stem

Stem 8 - 16 cm long, 1 - 2 cm thick; equal, or with an enlarged base; white, discoloring yellowish to brownish in age; dry, bald or finely hairy

Stem Shapes

Club Shaped

Stem Surfaces

Smooth

Stem Cross Sections

Hollow or cottony hollow

Flesh

Firm; white; unchanging when sliced

Ring

Thick; white to yellowish

Ring

With Ring

Spore Print Color

Purple-brown

Odor

Mild, generally earthy, not very distinctive.

Body Color

Brown

Gray

White

Purple

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Solitary, Gregarious, Scattered

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic

Substrate

On soil, Wood Chips or Mulch

You can find Wine cap stropharia by these plants:

Populus, European beech

Occurence Habitats

Disturbed Lands

Species Status

Widespread in North America.

Endangered Species

How to Identify Wine cap stropharia

Fruiting Body Cap Flesh

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Habitat of Wine cap stropharia

The wine cap stropharia is mostly found in gardens, lawns, parks, or any cultivated area covered with mulch. It is commonly found around woodchips.

Distribution Area of Wine cap stropharia

North America, Europe, South America, northern Asia, Australia, New Zealand

Uses of Wine cap stropharia

Wine cap stropharia is a versatile mushroom, highly valued for its edible qualities. Popular among foragers and cultivators, it is known for its rich flavor, making it a sought-after ingredient in various cuisines. Typically harvested in the late summer to fall, wine cap stropharia can be found in abundance during this season. While it is widely consumed, one must ensure proper identification before consumption to avoid confusion with lookalikes.

Scientific Classification of Wine cap stropharia

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Gilled fungi

Family

Hymenogastraceae

Genus

Roundheads

Toxicity and Edibility of Wine cap stropharia

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Edibility of Wine cap stropharia

Wine cap stropharias are choice edibles that are both gathered wild and cultivated commercially. Wine cap stropharias are known for their rich, bold flavors and are best sauteed in butter or added to a hearty soup or stew. Wild-gathered individuals may be riddled with fly eggs or larva, so check for holes on the underside of the cap. There are no close toxic lookalikes.

Similar Species to Wine cap stropharia

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Conifer roundhead

Similar Species

Wine cap stropharia

How to Differentiate Between Conifer roundhead and Wine cap stropharia?

Wine cap stropharia: Typically displays a distinctly cracked or scaled surface.

Conifer roundhead: Has a smoother cap surface without scaled patterns.

Wine cap stropharia: Features a well-defined, membranous ring.

Conifer roundhead: The ring is easily shed and only exists as a ring zone.

Tips for Finding Wine cap stropharia

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When is the Best Time to Find Wine cap stropharia

Search for wine cap stropharia in late spring to early summer, after a period of rain when temperatures are between 60°F-80°F (15°C-27°C). Also, early fall offers a second flush of these mushrooms under similar conditions.

What are the Ideal Soil Conditions for Wine cap stropharia

Rich or mulched soils with woody debris.

What are Some Tips for Finding Wine cap stropharia

Look in cultivated, mulched areas like garden beds and landscaping sites.
Search near woodchips or woody debris, especially after periods of rain.
Check along stream beds or floodplains after high water events.
Inspect clusters of mushrooms as wine cap stropharia can grow gregariously.

How to Clean and Preserve Wine cap stropharia

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How to Clean Wine cap stropharia

To clean wine cap stropharia, gently brush off any debris using a soft brush. For stubborn dirt, lightly dampen a cloth and wipe the surface. Avoid soaking as moisture can damage the mushroom.

Tips on Dry Preservation of Wine cap stropharia

Drying Methods

Dehydrator Drying, Oven Drying, Air Drying

Drying Duration

12 - 18 months

Store in a cool, dark place with low humidity and good air circulation.

Dehydrator drying: Uniform heat circulation and adjustable temperatures for efficient moisture removal.

Oven drying: Low-heat setting with door slightly ajar allows gradual evaporation of water content.

Air drying: Securing in a well-ventilated area, out of direct sunlight ensures slow natural drying.

Tips on Freezing Preservation of Wine cap stropharia

Freezing Methods

Blanching Before Freezing

Freezing Duration

10 - 12 months

Blanching before freezing: Briefly heat in water to inactivate enzymes for better preservation.

Tips on Refrigeration Preservation of Wine cap stropharia

Refrigerating Methods

Paper Bag Storage, Perforated Plastic Bag Storage, Container with Absorbent Lining, Plastic Wrap Storage

Temperature

2 - 4 ℃

Refrigerating Humidity

90 - 95 %

Refrigerating Duration

5 - 7 days

Paper Bag Storage: Absorbs excess moisture and allows air circulation, reducing spoilage for less firm mushrooms.

Perforated Plastic Bag Storage: Tiny holes in plastic bags permit airflow and minimize condensation, suitable for mushrooms with moderate moisture content.

Container with Absorbent Lining: Alternate layers of mushrooms with paper towels in a container to absorb moisture and keep them dry, preventing decay.

Plastic Wrap Storage: Lightly wrapping mushrooms in plastic wrap helps retain humidity without trapping moisture, preventing them from drying out.