The Ryadovkovy family has more than 100 species of fruit bodies. Row pigeon (bluish) is an edible hat-plate mushroom belonging to this family. It is quite rare, therefore it is valued mainly among those mushroom pickers who are familiar with it.
Below is a detailed description and photo of a pigeon row, helping novice mushroom pickers to get acquainted with its appearance and other characteristic features.
Description of the pigeon row and differences from the white variety
Latin name: Tricholoma columbetta.
Family: Ordinary.
Synonyms: ryadovka glaucous.
Hat: hemispherical or bell-shaped, fleshy, up to 12 cm in diameter. As it grows up, the cap opens and becomes flat, and its edges curl down. A small bump can often be seen in the center. The surface is sticky, in young specimens it is radially fibrous with light scales. The color of the cap is white, sometimes with pinkish or bluish spots.
Leg: height up to 10 cm, thickness up to 3 cm, round, flat or tapering downwards. The surface is silky, smooth, fibrous, dense inside. The color of the stem at the ryadovka is bluish white, and at the base a slight bluish-green tint is noticeable.
Flesh: firm, firm, fleshy, white in color. The smell and taste are pleasant, but subtle. Upon contact with air, the pulp of the mushroom becomes pink, and under the influence of high temperature it turns red.
Plates: loose, wide, frequent, white at a young age, and eventually acquire a reddish-brown color.
Edible: edible mushroom.
Application: suitable for preparing various dishes and preparations for the winter. The pigeon row is good in soups and sauces. She perfectly decorates the festive table in the form of a pickled or salty snack. The fruiting body is also dried for long-term storage. Many experienced mushroom pickers note that this mushroom gives a unique aroma to meat dishes. However, before cooking it must be soaked in cold water, and then boiled for at least 15 minutes. Both young and adult specimens are used for food. In addition, even those fruit bodies that have survived the first frosts are suitable for processing. Such gustatory qualities induce novice lovers of 'quiet hunting' to certainly study the description and photo of the pigeon row mushroom, so as not to lose sight of it in the forest.
Similarities and differences: this species is similar to the white row (Tricholoma album) – a dangerous poisonous mushroom. However, the differences between the pigeon ryadovka and the white variety are quite easy to notice. From the latter comes a sharp disgusting smell, which helps to determine the edibility of the mushroom.
Distribution: the glaucous ryadovka is a rather rare species in its family. The mushroom grows mainly in mixed and deciduous forests. Most often it can be seen near birches and oaks. Sometimes it can settle in pastures and meadows. Grows singly or in small groups from August to September.
We offer you to look at a few more photos of the pigeon row, allowing you to examine in more detail its appearance:
Remember that for any mushroom picker the rule is 'not sure – don't take it!'. Otherwise, you can endanger your health and even your life. For those who are just starting the path of a mushroom picker, we advise you to take experienced colleagues with you to the forest or limit yourself to more familiar and recognizable types of fruit bodies.
