Battarrea phalloides
Systematics:
- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Agaricaceae (Champignon)
- Genus: Battarrea (Battarrea)
- Species: Battarrea phalloides
- Other names for the mushroom:
- Battarrey
or
Battarrey
Battarrea phalloides is a rare steppe species of inedible mushrooms of the Tulostomaceae family.
Fruit body: In a young mushroom, fruit bodies are located underground. The bodies are ovoid or spherical. The transverse dimensions of the fruiting body can reach five centimeters.
Exoperidium: A fairly thick exoperidium, composed of two layers. The outer layer has a leathery texture. As the fungus matures, the outer layer breaks and forms a cup-shaped volva at the base of the stem.
Endoperidium: spherical, whitish in color. The surface of the inner layer is smooth. Along the equator or a circular line, characteristic breaks are noted. A hemispherical part is preserved on the leg, which is covered by the gleb. At the same time, the spores remain uncovered and are washed off by rain and wind. Ripe fruiting bodies are a developed brown stalk, which is crowned with a slightly depressed white head, with a diameter of three to ten centimeters.
Leg: woody, swollen in the middle. The leg is narrowed to both ends. The height of the leg is up to 20 centimeters, the thickness is about one cm. The surface of the leg is densely covered with yellowish or brownish scales. The leg is hollow inside.
Gleb: powdery, rusty brown.
Pulp: The pulp of the mushroom consists of transparent fibers and a spore mass. Spores are scattered by capillation, due to the movement of fibers under the influence of air currents and changes in air humidity. The pulp is dusty for a long time.
Spore powder: rusty, brown.
Distribution: Battarea Veselkovaya is found in semi-deserts, dry steppes, on hilly sands and loams. Prefers clay and sandy dry soils. Grows in small groups. Fruiting from March to May, and from September to November.
Edible: Battarreya Veselkovaya is not eaten due to its woody hard fruit body. The mushroom is edible in the egg stage, but it is difficult to find it, and it does not have much nutritional value.
Notes: Previously, this species was reckoned to the genus Raincoat. Battareya Veselkovaya belongs to the relics of the Cretaceous period. It is considered a common, but rare species. At the stage of not yet cracked endoperidia, the mushroom is very similar to the usual cap type.
