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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.
Identification guide |
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 |
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First Nature Multimedia
Guide to Fungi There is a lot more about this species and hundreds of other beautiful and fascinating mushrooms and toadstools on our CD-ROM for PCs with Internet Explorer. Details...
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