Cytidia willow (Cytidia salicina)
Systematics:
- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Species: Cytidia salicina (Cytidia willow)
Synonyms:
-
Stereum salicinum
- Terana salicina
- Lomatia salicina
- Lomatina salicina
- Cytidia rutilans
- Auricularia salicina
- Corticium salicinum
- Thelephora salicina
Description
Fruit bodies are bright, deep red (the shade varies from orange-red to burgundy and red-violet), from 3 to 10 mm in diameter, more or less rounded, prostrate with a lagging edge or even prostrate-bent, easily detached from the substrate . They are located in groups, at first one by one, as they grow, they can merge, forming spots and stripes more than 10 cm long. The surface is from practically flat to more or less pronounced radially wrinkled, matte, in wet weather it can be mucous. The consistency is jelly-like, dense. Dried specimens become hard, horny, but do not fade.
Season and habitat
Cytidia willow – as its name confirms – grows on dead branches of willows and poplars, not high above the ground, and thrives best in humid places, including mountainous areas. The period of active growth from spring to autumn, in mild climates throughout the year.
Edibility
The mushroom is inedible.
Similar types and differences from them
The radial phlebia growing on valezh and dry deciduous species differs from willow cytidia in larger sizes (both of individual fruiting bodies and their conglomerates), a significantly more folded-wrinkled surface, a jagged edge, a color range (more orange), a color change upon drying and freezing (turns black or fades depending on the circumstances).
Photo: Larisa
