What different types of fly agarics look like. About fly agarics - May we live like this

The red fly agaric is a classic poisonous mushroom that warns others of danger with its bright appearance.

It is widespread throughout Russia and is often used with therapeutic purpose in folk alternative medicine.

I would like to immediately warn you about the inadmissibility of using any tinctures based on red fly agaric. The fact is that it contains potent poisons, which are able to penetrate the skin. This causes severe poisoning with damage predominantly to the parasympathetic nervous system.

The following substances are detected in high concentrations in the pulp of the red fly agaric:

• muscarinic poisons;
• cholines;
• bufotenine and betaine - which have a strong hallucinogenic effect;
• ibotenic acid, which irritates all mucous membranes without exception;
• putrescine.

The lethal dose for humans is only 5-10 grams of pulp in its pure form. When combined with an alcohol base, the effect of the poison is enhanced by 10-15 times.

In some cases, the medicinal properties of the red fly agaric are used for domestic purposes; due to the ibotenic acid included in its composition, this mushroom has the ability to have a strong insecticidal effect.

Kills all forms of insects, including cockroaches, bedbugs, midges, flies. But its use in residential premises also poses a danger to the health of people and pets. a certain amount of hallucinogenic substances is released into the air, which can cause convulsive syndromes.

Description of the red fly agaric and photo

Everyone knows the description of the red fly agaric to modern man. Many of you have seen it with your own eyes and successfully identified it from. It is almost impossible to confuse him with.

This is a tall, massive mushroom that has a bright red cap. There are white spots on the outer surface, which are formed by layering of scales. The color of the cap can vary from bright orange to blood red.

As it grows from a ball, it gradually turns into a flat saucer. At elevated level Due to the humidity of the surrounding air, the surface may become covered with a mucous secretion, which is very viscous and sticky. The diameter of the cap of an adult mushroom can reach gigantic sizes - up to 30 cm.

The inner side is formed of frequently spaced white plates, which become creamy as the mushroom ages. On the outside, the plates have a characteristic expansion and uneven jagged edges. When broken, the cap has a pleasant yellowish cut of the flesh.

The leg is dense and reaches a height of up to 20 cm. The diameter can reach 4 cm. The ring on the leg is determined with sufficient clarity only in young specimens. As it grows, it droops and practically merges with the fibrous pulp.

The red fly agaric mushroom is a rare exception among poisonous species. It has a pleasant aroma and quite attractive taste. Therefore, small children often eat it while in the forest without adult supervision. Children should be warned in advance against these actions, explaining to them the danger that may threaten them.

The main growing area is forests, fields, meadows and parks. In general, red fly agaric grows almost everywhere. The first specimens begin to please the eye in early June and continue to grow actively until the end of October.

Why is red fly agaric tincture dangerous?

Poisoning with red fly agaric in its pure form is extremely rare. Mostly affected are small children who are left unattended by adults in forests and on the edges.

Much more often cases of poisoning are associated with various rituals and when using methods traditional medicine. Red fly agaric tincture is found in alternative medicine recipes as a remedy for joint damage. At the same time, it is prepared on an alcohol basis and applied to the skin.

Rapid absorption occurs. A euphoric mood is achieved. Due to damage to the parasympathetic nervous system, the patient may even experience temporary relief from pain. No real ones medicinal properties the red fly agaric does not. Therefore, the main danger is that a sick person loses precious time, which can be spent on successfully treating the disease using the methods of official medicine.

Essay about fly agaric for elementary grades

Among all the mushrooms, the fly agaric stands out for its bright appearance. Its bright red cap is covered with white dots, and its leg is white, with a “skirt”. Often fly agarics grow as a whole family of large and small mushrooms standing side by side. From a distance they can generally be mistaken for small flowers. The fly agaric looks beautiful in the thick green grass in a forest clearing. It immediately attracts attention. It's a pity, but it will never end up in the mushroom picker's basket. Fly agaric mushrooms cannot be collected or eaten because they are poisonous. A person who eats this mushroom will become poisoned and may die. Therefore, it is best to simply admire the fly agarics in the forest.

Essay about fly agaric in popular science style

When you walk through the forest with a basket, carefully examining everything mushroom places, it’s hard not to notice the handsome fly agaric that flaunts in the green grass. He has a large red hat covered with white spots. The red color, like a prohibitive traffic light, seems to signal the danger that lurks in fly agaric mushrooms. These mushrooms are very poisonous, they cause various human health problems and even death. Some fly agarics have hallucinogenic properties.

There are many subspecies of fly agarics, including death cap, as well as several that are not poisonous and can be used as food. Previously, people used poisonous fly agarics in everyday life to get rid of flies - hence its name. Now some fly agaric mushrooms are used to make medicines. However, for an inexperienced mushroom picker, it is best to avoid fly agarics, giving preference to proven edible mushrooms.

At the same time the fly agaric plays important role in the life of the forest. Some animals, such as deer, eat them to rid themselves of parasites and other diseases. In nature, everything has its own value and usefulness, even the poisonous fly agaric.

Fly agarics are often equated with ordinary toadstools, although this is far from the case. Of course, you can’t eat fly agarics like ordinary mushrooms - they are poisonous, but, nevertheless, they have a lot of other useful applications. In addition, some forest animals feed on fly agarics. And finally, they are just beautiful, aren't they?

1. The name "fly agaric", typical for most Slavic languages, appeared due to wide application this mushroom as a means to get rid of flies and other insects (see).
2. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the poison of fly agarics that kills flies. IN wildlife The fly agaric cap has a concave shape, and rainwater accumulates in this recess. When flies drink water with fungal alkaloids dissolved in it, they fall asleep and simply drown in this puddle. The same thing happens at home when the fly agaric cap is placed in a container of water. If a fallen fly is immediately taken out of the water and placed in a dry place, after 10-12 hours it will wake up and fly away.
3. Pale toadstool, the most poisonous mushroom in the world, is also a representative of the fly agaric genus (see).
4. Most fly agarics are inedible or extremely poisonous, although they superficially resemble some types of edible mushrooms.
5. The widely known red fly agaric (this is the name of the mushroom with a bright cap and white specks) is very toxic and has hallucinogenic properties.
6. There are also edible fly agaric mushrooms, such as the Caesar mushroom, which grows in the Mediterranean and Southern Europe, where it is considered a delicacy.
7. The acid contained in fly agarics leads to the death of brain cells.
8. Deaths from red fly agaric poisoning are extremely rare, since these mushrooms are completely unlike any other edible species. Besides, lethal dose A fly agaric for a person is about 15 caps, and eating such a number of poisonous mushrooms at a time is unlikely.
9. fly agaric for a long time was the only intoxicating substance known to the peoples of Siberia. Due to its ability to cause hallucinations, the mushroom was often used (and is still used) in religious rituals - for example, when shamans communicate with spirits.
10. For the sake of a feeling of euphoria and unconsciousness, fly agarics are eaten not only by shamans, but also by deer. In addition, these bright mushrooms eaten by moose, bears and squirrels (see).
11. The Mordovians and Mari revered fly agarics as food for gods and spirits.
12. Adherents of alternative medicine recommend fly agarics to strengthen the immune system, prevent colds, treat cancer and joint diseases. The effectiveness of such drugs has not yet been described in the academic medical literature, so you probably shouldn’t take this advice on faith.
13. Some old reference books say that twice-boiled fly agaric becomes edible and harmless, but this theory has not been scientifically confirmed. No need to take risks.
14. Symptoms of fly agaric poisoning appear within 15 minutes after eating the mushroom.
15. In France, fly agaric extract is used to treat insomnia (see).
16. Fly agaric is one of the most famous and most recognizable mushrooms in the world. European scientists conducted a study during which people were shown images various mushrooms. Fly agaric was accurately named by 96% of respondents, while White mushroom identified only 53% of respondents.

(fly agaric)

- poisonous mushroom

✎ Affiliation and generic characteristics

Fly agaric red(lat. Amanita muscaria), in everyday life - fly agaric is a psychoactive species of the fly agaric genus (lat. Amanita), the family Amanita (fly agaric) (lat. Amanitaceae), a prominent order of agaricaceae (lamellae) (lat. Agaricales).
Amanita muscaria is the most famous representative of its genus and contains not only toxic substances (muscarine and muscaridine), but also hallucinogenic-psychotropic substances (alkaloid bufotetin), therefore in ancient times it was used as an intoxicating essence (in Siberia), and even had spiritual significance in local culture.
The red fly agaric received its name for the corresponding greedy red coloring of the surface of the cap.

✎ Similar species

Fly agaric red, in terms of the content of pathogenic matter, is not as dangerous as the pale toadstool, spring toadstool and white toadstool, and it is easier to recognize, and therefore is poisoned by it much less often than other fly agarics.
In the Middle Ages, many warriors consumed dried red fly agaric powder as a pain reliever, and shamans still use it to this day to induce trance.
But we must take into account that the red fly agaric contains much more toxic substances than hallucinogenic ones, and on a par with the rest poisonous fly agarics, is one of the most dangerous mushrooms on the planet. And you shouldn’t use it for “shamanism”, it will cost you more, the toxins of the red fly agaric do not burn out during heat treatment, you can’t taste it either - it’s not safe!
Cases of red fly agaric poisoning consistently manifest themselves as severe nervous agitation and severe hallucinations. And recovery occurs in two to three days.
And poisonings can also be fatal. This happens when you eat from 3 to 5 pieces of red fly agarics at a time, and it doesn’t matter “raw” or boiled.
The red fly agaric can sometimes be confused with the panther fly agaric, but it has a darker (olive-brown) color of the cap; and with the very rare royal fly agaric (lat. Amanita regalis), which again is distinguished by a darker (red-brown) color of the cap.

✎ Distribution in nature and seasonality

Red fly agaric is an unpretentious mushroom that can be found in almost all temperate regions. climatic zone, in Europe and in the northern part middle zone Russia, the Urals, Siberia and the Far East.
The red fly agaric is a mycorrhiza-forming plant, grows on acidic soils and prefers mainly birch and spruce for a joint union.
The red fly agaric lives in deciduous, mixed or coniferous forests, also in fields, meadows, pastures, mainly in visible families, from late June to mid-October.

✎ Brief description and application

The red fly agaric belongs to the section of agaric mushrooms and the spores by which it reproduces reside in its plates. The plates are frequent, but uneven, in young mushrooms white, in adults they turn slightly yellow. The cap is first spherical, then straightens and becomes wide-spread, with a shiny and smooth surface, red in color, covered with white or cream-colored flakes. The leg is strong, straight, high, rough-scaly and with a wide, fibrous ring at the base of the cap, a bag-like cover at the base of the stalk, white. The pulp is dense, fleshy, elastic and also white in color, which does not change when damaged, and with a pleasant mushroom aroma.

Such a poisonous mushroom as fly agaric can be used for a variety of diseases, if you prepare it correctly, take into account existing contraindications and the required dosage. Some of its species are edible, but in order to avoid consequences, they must undergo full heat treatment.

Description of the mushroom and its features

Fly agaric refers to agaric mushrooms Amish family. The bright, elegant appearance of this forest dweller is very deceptive - it is a poisonous fungal root, which is a symbiosis of mycelium (mycelium) with the roots of various plants and trees. On this moment In nature, there are more than 600 species of fly agarics, and their color is not always bright red; the caps can be brown, yellow and white. The most famous varieties are royal, Caesar, panther, and red fly agaric.

Externally, the ordinary red fly agaric is a large, fleshy mushroom; its cap can be thinner or thicker, sometimes with a small tubercle. White flakes are located along it - these are preserved tissue segments in the process of formation. The base of the leg expands towards the ground. The ring or “skirt” in the upper part of the leg is a shell in which young individuals are enclosed; reproduction occurs with the help of spores.

Not everyone knows that the most poisonous mushroom, the toadstool, poisoning with which can lead to death, also belongs to the fly agaric family. The diameter of its cap can be 10-14 cm, the leg is high - up to 12 cm. Just a few grams of this mushroom are enough for poisoning to lead to death. A special feature of the toadstool is the presence of a filmy ring, thanks to which it can be distinguished from such similar floats, russula and champignons.

Composition and properties

The body of the mushroom contains several types of toxic components, which are mainly found in the cap and its skin; the stem has a lower content.

The chemical composition of the most common red fly agaric is represented by the following substances:

• muscimol– a hallucinogen that has a hypnotic, sedative effect and can disrupt the functioning of consciousness;
• ibotenic acid– toxic substance, characterized by a destructive effect on brain cells;
• muscarine- a natural alkaloid, leading to vasodilation and the inability of the heart to fully contract; as a result of its entry into the body, poisoning occurs with all the characteristic symptoms - decreased blood pressure, nausea and vomiting;
• muscaruphine– an antibacterial substance, which, moreover, has anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties, which makes it possible to use the mushroom for medical purposes;
• muscazon is formed as a result of the breakdown of ibotenic acid and is characterized by a weak effect on the functioning of the nervous system.

Most toxic substances accumulates in the fly agaric in spring and summer, and at this time it is especially dangerous.

Fly agarics feed on organic matter, since they are not able to absorb carbon dioxide from the air, and they also do not contain chlorophyll.

Microscopic amounts of these poisons are successfully used in pharmacology to create drugs for insomnia, joint diseases, colds, infectious diseases and cancer. Preparations created using fly agaric successfully heal wounds, relieve pain and spasms, increase immunity, and prevent bleeding.

Varieties

Fly agarics live, in fact, everywhere - species of this mushroom can be seen in deciduous and coniferous forests of Russia and many other countries. They are also found in colder areas, such as the tundra.

In addition to the red fly agaric, which grows everywhere, there are other varieties that differ in appearance:

1. Toadstool or yellow toadstool. The mushroom has an unpleasant odor, a hemispherical white cap with snow-white spots. Most often, you can find it in coniferous or deciduous forests, from July to October.
2. Panther fly agaric. It has a brown color, a cap from 5 to 12 cm and a cylindrical leg of approximately the same height with a porous surface and a low, fragile frill. It has an unpleasant smell and the flesh is white.
3. Royal fly agaric. You can see it in an oak or beech grove, in a pine forest. This variety, when poisoned, can cause severe hallucinations. It is a large (brown or olive-colored) mushroom with a cap diameter of up to 20 cm and yellow flakes. The color of the pulp is yellow-brown and does not darken when cut. This mushroom loves forests with a predominance of birch, spruce and pine; it is widespread in our country, in Europe, and is found in Korea, England, and Alaska.
4. Rough fly agaric. It is a small, fleshy, yellowish or olive-colored mushroom with a thick stem. In young mushrooms, the cap is almost round and resembles a ball; in adults, it is flat, and the edges may slightly bend upward. When cut, the white flesh quickly turns yellow and its smell, unlike other types, is pleasant. Fly agaric grows both in Europe and America, Japan, South and Central Asia. In nature, however, it can be difficult to see; it prefers to grow next to hornbeams, beech trees, and in oak groves.
5. Spiny-headed fly agaric (bristly, fat). This mushroom is distinguished by an umbrella fleshy head; in young individuals it is round. The cap is covered with gray warts. Distinctive feature– a white leg thickened in the middle with scales at the base. Plates of an adult fly agaric Pink colour, the flesh is dense and has a pungent odor. Prefers symbiosis with coniferous trees and oaks, often grows near bodies of water. This poisonous variety, which can cause poisoning even after heat treatment.

Toadstool fly agaric

Panther fly agaric

Royal fly agaric

Fly agaric rough

Spiny-headed fly agaric

Almost all types of mushrooms are unusually beautiful - this is a kind of warning that they are deadly poisonous.

Is it possible to eat fly agarics?

Some types of fly agarics are considered conditionally edible. These include the following mushrooms:

1. A yellowish-brown fly agaric, which is also popularly called a fly agaric. It is not particularly popular due to the fact that it has a thin cap and is not particularly fleshy, at the same time, it is so similar to a toadstool that many do not want to take risks. In its raw form, the float is poisonous and, indeed, dangerous, but after careful heat treatment it is quite suitable for food.
   The mushroom has a cap up to 8 cm in diameter, brown or brown-orange in color, it is flat, and in the center there is a small darker tubercle. The leg is fragile and high up to 15 cm with a thickening at the base. Distinctive feature is the absence of a ring on it. To the touch, the fly agaric is watery, with a coating of mucus, and there is no smell.
2. The cone-shaped fly agaric is a thick-fleshy mushroom with a hemispherical cap, white or gray, covered with pointed pyramidal warts. The leg is cylindrical, wide at the base. This mushroom grows in coniferous and deciduous forests, often forms mycorrhiza with linden, beech, and oak. It contains small amounts of muscimol and ibotenic acid, so before use it is boiled and the broth is drained.
3. Caesar's mushroom is also edible, and has excellent taste qualities. Its differences from its poisonous counterparts:
   • hat red-orange color, smooth and without growths;
   • plates and legs are golden yellow;
   • the mushroom has a wide sac-like covering at the bottom of the stem.

Mushroom "Float"

Pineal fly agaric

Caesar's fly agaric

Also, edible varieties are brown, gray, snow-white floats, pink and tall fly agaric. Of course, they all require proper preparation and pre-boiling.

Application of mushrooms

As it turns out, correct use poisonous mushrooms can save a person from many ailments. They are used both externally and internally.

With a strictly calculated dosage, fly agaric is recommended for problems such as:

• skin diseases - diathesis, eczema, neurodermatitis;
• muscle and joint pain;
• headache;
• radiculitis and rheumatism;
• male impotence;
• eye diseases;
• diabetes;
• tuberculosis;
• epileptic seizures;
• oncological lesions.

And this is far from full list all diseases for which this mushroom can help.

The usual red fly agaric, which is the most common, can be used in the form alcohol tincture, juice, dried raw materials, ointment. All these remedies are used externally for varicose veins, for healing long-lasting wounds, for burns, bruises, and joint inflammation.

The tincture can be prepared with alcohol or vodka. The crushed caps should be kept in the refrigerator for three days, after which they are filled into a jar and poured 1 cm above the mushrooms. Leave the mixture for 15 days in a dark place and filter.

The ointment can be prepared from fresh mushrooms, grinding them into a paste and mixing with sour cream. Or first prepare the powder by drying the fly agaric caps, then grind them and add Vaseline or vegetable oil to them.

Today special medicines based on poisonous mushroom– fly agaric ointment, tincture, medicinal creams, homeopathic preparations.

When using mushrooms yourself, you need to be able to choose them correctly:

• the most useful, as well as harmful, substances are contained in the cap - this part must be intact, untouched by insects;
• when drying the caps, the plates are removed from them and then strung on a thread;
• when using, it is important to follow the recipe and the exact proportions of all ingredients;
• People with a diseased digestive system should avoid use;
• When making ointments and other products, metal utensils and metal utensils should be avoided.

People with mental disorders This product is contraindicated in any form for pregnant (nursing) mothers.

At the end of use, it is advisable to wash your hands thoroughly with detergents; ideally, it is better to prepare a tincture or ointment in rubber gloves. Internal preparations from fly agarics can only be taken after consultation with a treating specialist and under his supervision. For children, except in rare cases, mushroom-based medicines are not used.

It should be remembered that just four eaten fly agaric caps are enough to become poisoned without a chance of survival. Such poisonings may be accompanied by suffocation, delirium, convulsions and respiratory paralysis.

A poisonous mushroom, such as the fly agaric, is a living example of the inconsistency that is so characteristic of any living creature on our planet. On the one hand, it is extremely dangerous, on the other hand, it is beautiful, just like its appearance, and brings obvious benefits in the treatment of humans. All that remains is to use this undeniable gift of nature with respect and caution.