Yellow-skinned button mushroom (Agaricus xanthodermus)
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Hello, mushroom pickers! In this video, I'll introduce you to a poisonous member of the champignon genus – the yellow-skinned champignon, or Agaricus fulvus. The yellow-skinned champignon can be found from July to October-November, practically throughout Ukraine. It's widespread in forest, forest-steppe, and steppe zones – growing in deciduous forests, parks, gardens, and meadows, in organically rich soil, in the same places as edible champignon species, sometimes even simultaneously, right next to each other. Therefore, it's crucial to be able to recognize it.
Unfortunately, I only encountered these little ones, but there's no point in describing this species in detail, as it's not a common mushroom species. Everyone knows the appearance of champignons, and the yellow-skinned button mushroom is identical to the field button mushroom and other edible mushroom species. However, it has two distinct differences that you can never mistake: yellowing and smell. The cap of the yellow-skinned button mushroom turns intensely yellow when pressed or damaged, which is where it gets its species name. The flesh also turns yellow at the cut surface, especially at the base of the stem. As soon as you notice yellowing on the mushroom, immediately smell the flesh at the cut surface. Edible varieties will always have a pleasant mushroomy odor, or some species will have an aniseed scent, while the yellow-skinned button mushroom has an unpleasant, pungent odor, sometimes described as pharmaceutical, inky, medicinal, or like a dentist's office. Both the yellowing of the flesh and the unpleasant odor are caused by the presence of phenol, which makes the mushroom toxic. Sometimes the odor of a fresh mushroom can be barely perceptible, but it intensifies dramatically when cooked.
Poisoning from the yellow-skinned button mushroom is not fatal and occurs through the gastrointestinal tract, but can be quite severe and does not go away without a trace. Some people claim that the mushroom is edible after prolonged boiling and eat it regularly, but it's not a good idea to experiment on yourself, as every organism is different.
Be careful when picking button mushrooms, and especially don't knowingly expose yourself to risks if you've already identified this species. That's all for now – subscribe to the channel, like, and stay healthy!