Sparassis crispa

This massive fungus grows at the base of pine trees in summer and autumn. Commonly referred to as the Cauliflower Fungus, it is edible when young.

Close-up pf Sparasis crispa

Description	Comprises many leaf-like lobes, curled and contorted. Creamy white and fairly brittle when young, becoming browner and tougher with age.
Dimensions	10 to 25 cm tall; up to 40 cm across.
Other features	Edible when young, but this fungus should not be eaten when it begins turning brown.
Spore print	off-white.
Odour/taste	Faint sweet smell; taste of hazel nuts..
Habitat	On the ground beside conifer trees, particularly Scots Pine.
Season	July to October.
Occurrence	Fairly frequent where conifers grow at the edge of a forest or along firebreaks and woodland tracks; less common in very dark forests.
Similar species	Grifola frondosa is found at the base of oak trees and forms a similar cauliflower-like shape but its fan-shaped segments have pores on the underside; it is grey-brown.