Armillaria borealis - Опёнок северный - Northern Honey Mushroom

Armillaria borealis - Опёнок северный - Northern Honey Mushroom - Nordischer Hallimasch 8/31/16—9/30/22

Armillaria borealis, commonly known as the Northern Honey Mushroom or Nordischer Hallimasch in German, is a medium-sized mushroom species belonging to the Physalacriaceae family. The cap of this fungus measures 3 to 12 cm in diameter, with a convex to flat shape and a smooth surface. The cap color ranges from honey-brown to dark brown, often with a slightly darker center. The gills of Armillaria borealis are adnate to slightly decurrent (running down the stem) and white to cream in color. The stem is 4-15 cm tall and 0.5-2.5 cm thick, with a white to yellowish-brown color and a slightly bulbous base. Armillaria borealis can be found in boreal and temperate forests across Europe, Asia, and North America. It grows in clusters around the bases of living or dead trees, particularly on conifers and hardwoods, from late summer to late autumn. The chemistry of Armillaria borealis is not well studied, but it is considered an edible mushroom when cooked, with a mild, slightly sweet taste. The spores of Armillaria borealis are white, elliptical, and measure 7-9 x 5-6 micrometers. They are produced in basidia and are released into the environment for reproduction and dispersal. Armillaria borealis is known for its ecological role as a wood decomposer, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients within forest ecosystems. This process contributes to the cycling of nutrients and overall forest health. The fungus is also known as a weak pathogen, causing root rot in some tree species, though its pathogenicity is considered to be less aggressive than that of Armillaria mellea and Armillaria ostoyae. Armillaria borealis has been studied for its potential medicinal properties, with research suggesting that it may contain compounds with antioxidant, anticancer, and immunomodulatory effects.