A rare poisonous mushroom resembling a white mushroom was found in Bukovina
In Bukovina, Serhiy Yakubyna, a leading environmental education specialist at the “Khotyn” National Nature Park, has spotted the Satan’s mushroom (Rubroboletus satanas) for the second time. This species is easily mistaken for a white mushroom, but it is poisonous.
This time, the discovery was made near the village of Shebutyntsi in the Dniester District. According to the ecologist, the “Satan’s mushroom” is one of the most dangerous “look-alikes” of the white mushroom.
It can be distinguished, in particular, by the color of its stem. The upper part of the stem is yellowish, while the lower part turns pinkish-red. A distinctive net-like pattern is also visible on the surface. After being cut, the mushroom’s flesh may gradually turn blue.
The Satanic mushroom contains toxins capable of causing severe gastrointestinal poisoning. Possible symptoms include nausea, weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and headache.
According to Yakubina, this species is most commonly found from June through November, with the highest number of sightings occurring in September. In Ukraine, it has also been recorded in the Kharkiv region and Crimea.
The ecologist urges mushroom pickers not to take risks and to collect only those mushrooms they are completely certain about. If there is any doubt about the species, it is better to leave the mushroom in the forest.
Source: Suspilne Chernivtsi
