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The goat lip mushroom is edible and tasty, but there is a risk of confusion with other varieties. Here you can find out what unique characteristics are and how you can recognize Xerocomus subtomentosus.

In a nutshell

  • the hat has a diameter of three to ten centimeters
  • felty velvety covering
  • great color variety
  • the hat hardly tears
  • strong cushion available

locations and distribution

In Europe, the mushrooms are more common in southern and therefore warmer regions. Goat's lip occurs less frequently in the north. As a result, you are more likely to find yourself in warm and sunny places in the forest. That means:

  • clearings
  • edge of the undergrowth
  • ways

Mushrooms can also be found along the edge of the forest. This special feature alone can help to distinguish it from other varieties.

Source: Strobilomyces, Xerocomus subtomentosus 031102Aw, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

Forest Art

The goat's lip belongs to the mycorrhizal fungi and grows mainly in beech forests. However, it can also be collected in grove rush and woodruff beech forests.

Occurrence in:

  • oak-hornbeam forests
  • Spruce-fir forests with acidic soil
  • gardens
  • artificial spruce forests
  • parks

growing time

The fungi appear mainly between summer and autumn. Only in the south and in very warm regions can an occurrence in spring be expected. The wedding is between July and October.

Notice: The goat's lip mainly grows solitarily. However, loose groups can also occur.

color

With the variety of color variations, it can be difficult to distinguish between them. Because the goat's lip can have several tints and change them over time. However, you can use a spectrum as a guide. This applies to both the stem and the hat.

  • brownish
  • yellow
  • olive green

Notice: The colors can blend into each other. In small mushrooms they are more intense. In older specimens, they fade and appear paler as a result.

Grain

Distinctive features also include the drawing of the mushroom caps. Net-like drawings are particularly noticeable here. These are caused by veins and flakes. Instead of a network, lines can also appear, which usually appear reddish.

size

The size and dimensions are not clear characteristics that prevent the risk of confusion. However, they can still provide an orientation.

  • Height from three to eight centimeters
  • Stem thickness between five and 20 millimeters
  • Diameter of the hat is three to eight centimeters

cap

On smaller specimens of the goat's lips, the hat is smooth and padded. Over time, the pad gets a little smaller. But the hat never becomes completely flat. It is also noticeable that there are hardly any cracks at the edges. It is also felty to velvety and can be compared to the skin of a peach.

tubes

In contrast to other mushrooms, there are no lamellae on the underside of the hat, but tubes. In young specimens of the goat's lip, these are comparatively small. However, the older the fungus gets, the bigger they get. The surface appears open-pored and like a sponge. The underside is colored yellow.

stalk

The stalk of the goat's lip is light yellow to brownish yellow. The color is generally lighter at the bottom and darkens at the top. The surface is rarely completely smooth. Grooves and veins as well as flakes are often found on the stems. Other features are:

  • tapered upwards
  • stable
  • cylindrical

meat

Inside the mushroom, the color is exactly the opposite of the color of the stem on the outside and the cap. Because the flesh is ocher yellow to reddish brown at the bottom and gets lighter towards the top. However, as a distinguishing feature, this criterion is only apparent when the goat's lip is cut off. Another point emerges here. Because in the event of injuries or complete cutting off, the meat does not discolor or only discolors to a very small extent.

risk of confusion

There is a risk of confusion with various other types of mushrooms, such as:

  • brown mushroom boletus
  • gold boletus
  • cow boletus
  • velvety mushroom boletus
  • pine boletus
  • red-footed boletus
  • sand boletus

frequently asked Questions

How does the type of mushroom taste?

The mushrooms have a very mild taste and a subtle aroma. For this reason, they can also be wonderfully combined with other varieties, vegetables or meat and herbs.

What color is the mycelium?

The mycelium or the root of the mushroom is white to light yellow. This can also be a clue when distinguishing it from other varieties.

What to do if the distinction is not clear?

Contact a mushroom advice center. You can get help here. This avoids accidentally consuming a dangerous or poisonous specimen.

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