After not seeing a “bridal veil” mushroom in Tzucacab for more than five years, Carlos Catzín, who lives in this town, found it one day ago.
“Not in all places you can see it since these depend on the remains of a species of decaying wood. They can only be seen for a few hours, in the morning, and when the sun gets hot disappear, so anyone who manages to see it in the mountains is lucky.
“This mushroom is rare since it has a stem that is covered with a very well-formed white network that covers up to its base. It even seems that it is not natural, since it is very perfect and gives off a bad smell that attracts insects,” he explained.
Phallus indusiatus, commonly called “bridal veil,” is a fungus of the phallaceae family that appears in mountains or gardens, in soil rich in decomposed wood remains, under a tropical climate. It is also known that it can be found in South Asia, Africa, America, and Australia.
In Asia, the fungus is prepared as food in soups and stir-fries.
In China, it is considered a delicacy. It is grown for this purpose and must be consumed before it has hatched from the cocoon and the “hat” appears. They say it also has medicinal properties. In some countries in its distribution area, it is considered an aphrodisiac, since it works as a vasodilator and has the same effects as the medication for erectile dysfunction.
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