Mushrooms are fungus consisting of a numerous group of organisms, the second in species number in the planet, after the insects and constitute one from the five kingdoms. The mushrooms lack chlorophylle and they are unable to compose organic compounds. They are heterotrophic organisms and take the essential organic compounds from live or dead organisms.
What most of us call mushroom, is the the visible part of the organism, the carposome ,which is found above the surface of the substrate.The body of fungus (thallus) is found in or on the substrate. Thallus is consisted of branching trhreadlike tubes,the mycelium hyphae, which are largely invisible to the naked eye and they produce the carposomes.
THEIR ROLE IN THE ECOSYSTEM
The ways in which mushrooms conserve energy, are particularly important for the economy of nature. Their role in the balance of the coal circle and inorganic salts is considered indispensable. Their participation in the split of cellulose and xylin is considered particularly important.
Secreting the suitable ferments, the mushrooms, split the complicated organic compounds in simple elements. If the mushrooms and the bacteria did not exist, to decompose the leaves that fall during autumn, forests would disappear by the piles of leaves. Our planet would also be in danger of becoming an immense cemetery of animals and plants.
GROWTH CONDITIONS
Theoretically, ideal conditions for most of the mushrooms to grow are those that combine relatively high humidity in substrate and atmosphere, with small deviations between maximun and minimal temperatures. In Greece such climatic conditions are observed mainly in fall. Ideal conditions for the growth of edible mushrooms are the rainy summers.
THE COLLECTION
An interesting pastime for forest lovers is the mushroom hunting, the recording, the photographing and the identification of the species. However the collection of the tasty edible mushrooms is the most fascinating part of the whole process. It is also an occasion for movement, observation and a contact with the thousands forms of life that exist in the forest.
The collection of mushrooms is a relaxing and reviving process , which is also an escape from the monotonous everyday routine.The essential equipment for a collector is a penknife and a basket. The basket allows mushrooms to breathe and simultaneously protects them from pulping, contrary to the plastic bag which accelerates decay.
INSTRUCTIONS ON CUTTING THE MUSHROOMS
First of all we cut the mushroom in the base of the stem. The section of the base shows if the remainder carposome is intact or if it has been infected by insects. Secondly we cut the stem in slices progressively, until we reach to a point where there are no holes ,something that indicates that insects did no harm. In case the insects have harmed the entire stem and have reached the cap, we remove the centre of the cap with a knife.
Finally if we see that the damage is extensive , we search for the next mushroom. In every case we only keep carposomes that are found in good condition. Fresh and with cohesive flesh.We reject rotten, dry, dehydrated,watery, frozen and those we find cut and uprooted.
EDIBLE MUSHROOMS
The wild, mushrooms are considered ideal food and the value of certain species has exceeded by far the price of black caviar. Apart from their exceptional flavour and their unique scent, they lack chemical fertilizers, hormones and pesticides.
Moreover, they are also considered a suitable slimming diet, because they contain fibrillous substances (cellulose and mykochitini) in important percentage 0,8- 7%), minimal fat (0,2-0,5%) and few sugars (1-1,5%). Generally mushrooms contain water in big percentage (80-90% roughly), proteins (1,5- 5,5%), metal salts and trace elements (0,5- 1,5%), vitamins and ferments. Moreover many species of mushrooms have therapeutic attributes.
DEADLY MUSHROOMS/ poisonous species
The most dangerous poisoning that is caused by mushrooms is falloeidiki that offends mainly the liver. This poisoning is responsible for the biggest percentage of deaths from mushrooms in Europe. The symptoms of poisoning occur after 6-24 hours. Intense diarrhoea, vomiting and cold sweat cause dehydration of the organism.
Strong abdominal pains, the intense sense of thirst and the production of minimal quantity of urine, supplement the list of symptoms, that probably last two days. Usually the third day they subside temporarily and come back more intensely. Ikteros, , insufficiency of liver, damage of heart, kidneys and central nervous system, leading to lethargies and finally, at the fifth day, to death.
In case of poisoning we should take the victim as soon as possible in a well equipped hospital. If other individuals ate, from the mushrooms that caused the poisoning they should also be taken to hospital, even if the first symptoms haven’t occurred yet. We should always bear in mind that the consumption of 50 gr. of mushroom is enough to cause death.
ATTENTION
It is difficult to identify a safe mushroom without proper training, that’s why we should only gather the species , with the characteristics we know with absolute certainty.
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