Wood Hedgehog

Description:

Hydnum repandum, commonly known as the Wood Hedgehog or Hedgehog mushroom, is an edible basidiomycete mushroom of the family Hydnaceae. It is notable for its spore-bearing structures which are shaped like teeth rather than gills. The orange-, yellow- or tan-colored pileus (cap) is up to 6 inches (15 cm) wide and generally somewhat irregular in shape (it may be convex or concave at maturity). The underside is covered with small white spines (5–6 mm long) reminiscent of those of a hedgehog. The stipe (stem), typically 2–10 cm long and 0.6–2 cm thick, is either white or the same color as the cap, and is sometimes off-center. The spore print is white. Spores are 6.5–10 x 6.5–8 µm, roughly spherical, and smooth.

Habitat:

It is broadly distributed in North America and Europe and found singly or in groups in coniferous or deciduous woodland. Hydnum repandum has been recently placed as a relative of Chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius). Hyndum repandum is a fairly common species, and is found on the ground in both coniferous and deciduous forests

Notes:

Although distinctive in appearance, the hedgehog mushroom can be confused with non-edible species, such as Sarcodon scabrosus. The hedgehog mushroom is considered to be a good edible, having a sweet, nutty taste and a crunchy texture. Older specimens may have a mildly bitter taste; thorough cooking may remove the bitter taste of older specimens, and all specimens should be cooked well so as to avoid bitter taste. Spotted in V.N.Gaia Biological Park