Hydnum repandum - Wood Hedgehog

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes (insertae sedis)

Order: Cantharellales

The pale Hedgehog Fungus is a popular edible species, but it should be picked while young and free from worms and grubs. These quite large and fleshy fungi grow in all kinds of damp woodland.

In France this highly-prized esculent goes by the charming name of Pied de Mouton. Further evidence of the reputation of these 'tooth fungi' is hidden in the generic name Hydnum, which is derived from the Greek name for a truffle.

Identification guide

Description	The cap is creamy white, with irregular undulations and pits. The upper surface has a fine velvety feel and tends to redden slightly when handled.The firm, crunchy flesh of this large edible fungus is slightly spicy and not dissimilar to that of the Common Chanterelle, Cantharellus cibarius. Hanging down like stalactites, soft spines cover the fertile surface of the Wood Hedgehog. The spines are decurrent to the stem.
Size	Cap of Fruitbody 4 to 15cm in diameter and 5 to 10cm tall. Stem diameter typically 15 to 30mm. Spines 2 to 6mm long.
Spore print	White.
Odour/taste	Odour not distinctive; turns bitter in the mouth after a few moments delay.
Habitat	Forms rings among the moss and leaf litter of forest floors.
Season	August to December.
Occurrence	Fairly common.
Similar species	Hydnum rufescens is smaller and tan coloured; its spines are adnate to the stem rather than decurrent.