Grey talker is one of the largest mushrooms of this species (talker). It is considered conditionally edible. However, in recent years, opinion about the safety of this fungus has changed. The reason for this was that in European countries there were several poisonings with sulfur talker. Studies have shown that in its raw form, this mushroom is practically non-toxic and relatively safe. However, there are nuances.
After heat treatment, the gray talker can cause various respiratory and digestive disorders in some people, as well as increased sweating. In addition, s alts of such heavy metals as mercury and cadmium accumulate in the fruiting bodies of these mushrooms. The gray talker has the ability to accumulate them from the soil. However, poisoning in Europe may be the result of local environmental conditions. In Russia, not a single case of harm to he alth due to the consumption of this mushroom has been registered.
Description
The smoky gray talker in its morphological features is closest to the clubfoot talker. Howeverthe latter is distinguished by its somewhat smaller size, as well as the club-shaped leg of gray color. The hat of a gray talker can reach a diameter of 20 cm. Its leg often grows up to 15 cm in height. The hat of this mushroom is gray-brown or ash-gray in dry weather. In rain or damp fog, it becomes yellowish-brown with a light edge and a whitish waxy coating. The latter is easily removed. Sometimes the hat fades. As a result, it becomes almost white.
Mushroom plates may have a yellowish or whitish tint. In young specimens, the caps are convex, hemispherical, with well-curved edges. As it ages, it becomes convex-prostrate, funnel-shaped, fleshy and thick. The edges may straighten or remain slightly down. The leg reaches a diameter of 3 cm. It is whitish or grayish in color. The gray talker has a fragrant white, dense, fibrous pulp, slightly sour in taste. In the stem, it is watery and loose, softening with age. It has a powdery sweetish aroma. The spore powder of a light cream shade has a gray talker. A photo of this mushroom can be seen in this article.
Habitat and distribution
This mushroom can be found in coniferous and mixed forests from late August to late autumn. Often, a gray talker grows next to real mushrooms. However, if the summer was dry, it may not appear at all. Sometimes large concentrations of these mushrooms are found in cluttered windbreak places in the forest next tonettle thickets. Because of this, the gray talker in some regions is called the wren. This mushroom can form witch rings. It can be distinguished from other relatives by its gray-ashy fruiting body and only its characteristic form. This fungus is common in Primorsky Krai, Siberia and throughout the European part of the Russian Federation. You need to be able to distinguish a gray talker from a poisonous entoloma.
Culinary performance and safety
The gray talker is eaten everywhere. However, its taste qualities leave much to be desired. It should also be remembered that not all people tolerate this fungus well. Some govorushki dishes can cause allergic reactions. Before eating, it must be boiled (3-5 minutes). This mushroom is eaten s alted and fried.
