Another interesting and gigantic mushroom that can be found is the giant flagship. Probably the largest European mushroom, it can reach sky-high hat sizes of up to 80 cm in diameter.

Of course, this is only an illusion, as the mushroom consists of many hats growing out of one stem. It does not change the fact that it looks impressive.

Such a complex of hats growing out of a short leg can weigh up to a dozen kilograms. The mushroom is annual, it is also edible, but only young fruiting bodies. Old specimens are woody and stringy.

The mushroom cap is characteristically arranged, resembling fans overlapping each other. We can observe small scales on their surface.

the color of the hat changes depending on whether the mushroom is young or old. At first it is light brown, sometimes even yellow, and in mature specimens it becomes dark brown.

The mushroom leg is very short, sometimes imperceptible. The flesh darkens when damaged, previously it is white. The smell is noticeable, mushroom has a sour taste.

This species belongs to the rare arboreal fungi. They usually grow on live deciduous trees at the very bottom at the base, sometimes on protruding roots. They like beeches, oaks, hornbeams and poplars the most. It appears in summer and grows until autumn, but sometimes old fruiting bodies can also be found in winter.

Be careful 😉