What does the Satanic mushroom look like and is it edible or not (+21 photos)?

The Satan's mushroom, or Satan's mushroom, is a rare species that mycologists classify as poisonous. The mushroom is considered poorly studied, leading to conflicting opinions about its edibility. The Satan's insidiousness lies in its uncanny resemblance to other edible mushrooms.

Features of the species

This mushroom belongs to the Boletaceae family, genus Boletus. Therefore, its description often coincides with that of other members of this genus.

However, Satan has a number of individual morphological differences.

Appearance and photo

This mushroom's appearance can easily be confused with the boletus. You can appreciate the similarity by looking at the photo. The cap is hemispherical or cushion-shaped. Over time, it unfolds and assumes a flattened shape. The cap's diameter varies from 8 cm to 25 cm.

Some sources claim the cap can reach up to 30 cm. Its surface can be smooth or velvety, depending on growing conditions. It is usually dry, but can be slippery in wet weather.

The color range of the hat is varied:

• gray-white;
• gray;
• dark gray;
• grey with olive tint;
• gray-yellow;
• gray-green.

Less common are specimens with pink and olive streaks on a gray cap. The stem grows up to 15 cm, with a diameter of 3 to 10 cm. Initially, it is shaped like an egg or a ball, but over time it becomes tuberous, resembling an uneven barrel or turnip. The stem is brown below, bright pink in the middle, and yellow-red above. A reticulated pattern is visible across the entire surface.

The mushroom's flesh is dense. It is often white with a yellowish tint. Occasionally, specimens with lemon-colored flesh are found.

Morphology

The most striking distinguishing feature of the boletus is its chemical composition. Other members of the boletus genus remain white or turn blue when cut, while the damaged part of the boletus turns red. Another distinctive characteristic is the distinctive odor of the flesh.

Young mushrooms have a faint, spicy aroma, while mature ones smell strongly of rotten onions. Furthermore, the cap surface is usually dry, which is unusual for most of its relatives.

The Satan's mushroom is classified as a tubular mushroom. Its spores are contained in short tubes beneath the cap. Initially, they are yellow, but as they mature, they change color, becoming greenish, then brown, and ultimately bright red. The spores are very small and round in shape.

Distribution in Crimea and other areas

The Satan mushroom prefers sunny edges of coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as calcareous soil. It is most often found under oak, linden, and chestnut trees. The first specimens appear in June, and their growth peaks in July and August. By the end of September, the mushrooms disappear.

Satan is found in the following places:

• Southern Europe;
• south of the European part of Russia;
• Caucasus;
• Middle East;
• Primorsky Krai.

Some mycologists add Crimea to the above-mentioned locations. Local residents confirm the presence of mushrooms in Crimean lands. However, according to official studies, they have not been recorded in Crimea. This can only be explained by the rarity of the species and its limited distribution. After all, Crimea is ideal soil for this species.

Consumption

The Satan mushroom is considered conditionally edible. When raw, it is definitely toxic, as it contains the poison muscarine.

Residents of some countries, such as the French and Czechs, eat the mushrooms. They soak them for 10-12 hours beforehand, then stew them for the same amount of time. Mycologists claim that after this treatment, the mushrooms can only cause an upset stomach.

But is it worth the risk of trying them? Especially since after such a long cooking time, the taste is highly questionable. And the foul, putrid smell only intensifies during cooking, becoming nauseating.

Differences from edible mushrooms

Satan's mushrooms are easily mistaken for edible mushrooms. The most reliable way to test them is by damaging the flesh. If it remains white or turns slightly blue, it's considered edible. If the flesh turns reddish, it's a Satan's mushroom.

False Satanic

It can be distinguished from the usual Satanic one by the following criteria:

1. Small hat.
2. A pointed or blunt tip on the cap.
3. Coffee with milk color.
4. A "felt" coating on the surface of the cap.
5. Specific sour smell.

False mushrooms should be collected carefully, as their flesh is indistinguishable from that of the satanic mushrooms.

White

The white mushroom can be easily distinguished from the satanic mushroom by three sure signs:

1. It always has the shape of a regular barrel or cylinder.
2. It has no smell.
3. The surface is often wrinkled. In dry weather, it is matte and slightly cracked, and in rainy weather, it is slightly sticky.

Moreover, these boletus species are meatier; their flesh is always white and slightly fibrous. They are much larger and taller than their satanic cousins.

White boletus

The white boletus is smaller. The only way to distinguish it from its poisonous cousin is to cut it. A damaged area of ​​the boletus will inevitably turn blue.

Although the white boletus is not poisonous, it is not considered edible. This is due to its exceptional bitterness, which cannot be removed even by prolonged cooking. Therefore, the flesh of this boletus is considered inedible.

Pink-skinned boletus

This is a very rare and therefore little-studied species. The pink-skinned boletus is considered poisonous.

The following features distinguish him from Satan:

• adhesive outer surface;
• faint odor;
• the color of the leg (it is red at the bottom, yellow at the top).

Brown boletus

The cap of the brown oak boletus is olive-brown. In appearance, this oak boletus is very similar to Satan. Therefore, they are traditionally distinguished by cutting or damaging the flesh. On the brown oak boletus, the damaged area will either take on a bluish tint or remain white.

Brown boletus mushrooms can be harvested until November. They are edible, but require at least an hour of cooking.

Poisoning and first aid

This species contains colloidal toxins hazardous to human health. The degree of toxicity of the satanic plant directly depends on its growing conditions.

Mushroom poisoning is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• severe abdominal pain;
• dizziness;
• nausea and vomiting;
• diarrhea.

Some poisoned people also experience the following symptoms:

• headache;
• convulsions;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• partial loss of consciousness;
• hallucinations;
• lowering blood pressure;
• lethargic sleep.

Experts recommend calling an ambulance immediately at the first symptoms of poisoning. Until doctors arrive, it's advisable to induce vomiting. Drinking warm soda water is also recommended.

Answers to common questions about the satanic mushroom

The Satan's mushroom is definitely dangerous to humans. It's most commonly found in deciduous forests in our country. The cunning Satan's mushroom is adept at disguising itself, so inexperienced mushroom pickers risk introducing a poisonous mushroom into their collection.