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 Hedgehog Fungus. The spines are decurrent to the
stem. |
Size |
fruitbody 4 to 15 cm in diameter and 5 to
10 cm tall.
Stem diameter typically 15 to 30 mm.
Spines 2 to 6 mm 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.
|
