Manvali

That night Taisa spotted a bunch of manvali mushrooms growing under a rock. If she was at home, her mother and the other women could cook them and make mansoba; actually, they could be doing that in that same moment.
Thinking about mansoba made her miss her village and also a good meal, but Taisa was far away and had to be content with the benti food.

— Benti-Zai

The manvali is a poisonous mushroom that grows in Engoru Savanna.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Manvali Mushroom has a brownish gray color, with a narrow stalk topped by a disk-shaped cap. The cap may have some appendices hanging, similar to leaves.

Biological Traits

The Manvali is poisonous if eaten, but the poison effect may vary for the eaten part: the cap has a non-lethal poison that causes swelling, while the stalk poison can kill if eaten raw.

Genetics and Reproduction

The species reproduces through spores, specially when there is water. Because of that it is mostly found near water sources, when it's not the wet season. When it rains, the mushroom population may also spread through the fields if the grass is tall enough or near rocks.

Growth Rate & Stages

At first there is a very small spore, that is released from other mushrooms and carried by the air. If it lands on a place suitable for growing, such as humid soil or wood, it create tiny root-like structures and begins growing.
After two or three weeks, the manvali is mature and can already reproduce. If not harvested, it can live up to two months before dying.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The Manvali mushroom is used in a Zivar typical dish called Mansoba. To remove the poison from the mushroom, it must be cooked for 8 days.

Scientific Name

Mushroom

Lifespan

2 months

Conservation Status

Although only appearing in the wet season, the mushroom is not in risk of extinction.

Average Height

15 centimeters

Average Weight

30 to 60 grams

Related Materials

• Manvali poison