Prickly mushrooms raincoats are rarely harvested on a "silent hunt." Due to their unusual shape, they cause concern. In fact, this is a tasty and healthy product, you just need to collect it, knowing some of the subtleties. A description and characteristics of prickly or pearl raincoats can be found below.

Description

A spiky or pearl raincoat (Lycoperdon Perlatum) has a pear-shaped shape, tapering to the base. The height of the mushrooms is from 2 to 9 cm. The diameter in the narrow part is 2 cm, in the wide - 4 cm.

The hat and leg are solid. The peel is white, covered with prickly growths. The spikes are arranged so that large needles are surrounded by small ones. The growths slightly resemble pearls - hence the second name of these mushrooms. The pulp of young fruiting bodies is white. Over time, the inside becomes yellow.

Did you know? In the 18th century, soups were prepared from raincoat mushrooms to treat patients with tuberculosis.

Where and when it grows

Prickly raincoats grow in all parts of the world. The exception is Antarctica and the permafrost zone. The habitat of mushrooms is forested areas. Pearl raincoat can be found near conifers and deciduous trees. Also, some of their varieties grow in meadows. Harvest time is from early summer to late autumn.

Edibility

Pearl raincoat can be eaten. However, there is one caveat. Only young mushrooms are edible. Determine their suitability for food by the pulp. In edible fruits, the insides are white. Old mushrooms with yellowed pulp cannot be eaten.

Important! Raincoats with yellow flesh are not only inedible, but also cause poisoning. Be sure to cut the mushroom before eating.

Useful qualities

Pearl raincoat - a useful product with a rich chemical composition. The mushroom contains the following components.

The product belongs to low-calorie. Nutritional value per 100 g is 27 kcal. At the same time, in every 100 g of mushrooms, the amount of protein is 4 g, and of fats and carbohydrates is 1 g, which makes them useful for a vegan diet, in which the body gets few amino acids.

• A prickly raincoat has a beneficial effect on the body:
• strengthens the immune system;
• supports the thyroid gland;
• relieves symptoms of tuberculosis;
• stimulates the functions of the digestive tract;
• stabilizes the circulatory system;
• prevents lymph congestion;
• has a diuretic effect.

Limitations and contraindications

Together with the benefits, a pearl raincoat can do harm. The body suffers from excessive consumption of the product.

• Of the side effects observed:
• tachycardia;
• excessive tone of the genitourinary organs;
• allergy;
• disruption of the digestive tract;
• removal of calcium from the body.

Also, there are a number of contraindications to the use of the mushroom.

• These include:
• pancreatitis
• kidney pathology;
• pregnancy;
• breast-feeding;
• individual intolerance.

Important! Before the first use, try a small dose of the prepared mushroom-raincoat. This is an allergy test that will show if you can eat a product.

Do not be afraid to pick up raincoat mushrooms. Young fruits are not only safe, but also beneficial. When used correctly, they affect the body only beneficially. It is only important to avoid old mushrooms due to their toxicity.