emmabrewda.com

The hedgehog mushroom growing in coniferous or mixed forests, mainly under the pines, is referred to in various reference books as edible or conditionally edible. The taste qualities of all types of hedgehog (variegated, yellow and others) are low, however, these mushrooms may well be used in cooking, since they do not contain toxic substances.

We bring to your attention a photo of various species of the hedgehog mushroom, as well as a description of these gifts of the forest and recommendations for their use.

Hericium motley (tiled)

Category: conditionally edible.

Hat Sarcodon imbricatus (diameter 4-15 cm): brown or grayish, with even circles with darker scales. In young mushrooms, the scales are soft and velvety, but over time they become quite tough and larger. In adulthood, they can completely fall off, leaving the surface of the cap absolutely smooth. The shape gradually changes from convex to depressed, and sometimes becomes funnel-shaped.

Pay attention to the photo of the herringbone's hat - it was initially raised, then bent inward.

Thanks to the outgrowths-scales on the cap, the mushroom was named in Latin as tiled blackberries.

Leg (height 2-6 cm): smooth or slightly fibrous, of the same color as the cap, rarely purple or lilac. Strong and thick, it has a cylindrical shape and tapers from bottom to top. It can be both hollow and solid.

Pulp: off-white or grayish, juicy in young mushrooms, with a pleasant spicy aroma, in old ones - dry and hard, with a rotten smell.

The spotted hedgehog was first described by Karl Linnaeus in 1753.

Doubles: a grungy black man's man (Sarcodon scabrosus), but it has a much smaller cap, and a very rare pineal cone mushroom (Strobilomyces floccopus), whose cap is more variegated.

Other names: sheathed hedgehog, scaly hedgehog, granulated sarcodon, variegated sarcodon, kolchak, hawk.

When it grows: from mid-August to mid-October in temperate countries of the Eurasian continent.

Where can I find: on sandy soils of coniferous or mixed forests, most often next to pines.

Eating: considered a mushroom of low quality. Young black hairs are suitable for salting or as a seasoning, but only after the obligatory boiling for 8-10 minutes.

Application in traditional medicine: does not apply.

Important! Raw variegated barnacles can cause very severe eating disorders, therefore it is recommended to eat them only after being heated.

Mushroom hedgehog comb

Category: edible.

Fruiting body crested hedgehog (Hericium erinaceus) (up to 25 cm, weight about 2 kg): cream, yellowish or white, usually round, oval or irregular.

Pulp: fleshy, white in color, which changes to yellowish on drying.

Doubles: absent.

When it grows: from early August to mid-October in the Crimea, the Far East and China.

Where can I find: on the trunks of weakened or diseased trees, most often at the site of a break in the bark or branches of birches, beeches or oaks.

Eating: Black Herculean Mane is a rare mushroom, therefore it is not very widely available. It tastes like shrimp meat.

Application in traditional medicine (data not confirmed and not passed clinical trials!): for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - gastritis, ulcers, stomach oncology.

It is widely used in oriental medicine as a powerful immunostimulant.

Other names: hericium comb, mushroom noodles, lion's mane.

The French call the combed hedgehog Pom-Pom blanc, that is, "mushroom pom-pom", the Chinese - "houtougu" - "monkey's head", and the British - lion's mane mushroom, which means "lion's mane." The Japanese name "yamabushitake" is also quite common.

Hericium yellow and photo of the mushroom

Category: edible.

Hat yellow hedgehog (Hydnum repandum) (diameter 4-15 cm): light red or light orange, darkens noticeably as it ripens or with strong pressure. Very uneven, dense and fleshy, slightly convex, almost flat in the old mushroom. The edges are usually curved downward. On the inside of the cap there are thorns, thanks to which the hedgehog got its name. If the mushroom grows in a well-lit area, it will strongly fade under the influence of sunlight and become almost white or light yellow.

Leg (yellow hedgehog height 2-8 cm): cylindrical, usually widening downward. Often curved, with a smooth, dry surface. Usually yellow, like the cap, it darkens as it ripens.

Pulp: white or yellow, very brittle. As the fungus ages, it darkens and becomes hard. Has a rich fruity aroma. The old hedgehog has a bitter taste.

Application in traditional medicine: does not apply.

Doubles: edible red-yellow hedgehog (Hydnum rufescens). Only it is smaller in size and has a more intensely colored cap.

When it grows: from mid-June to late October in the temperate climate of the countries of the Eurasian continent and North America, practically throughout Russia.

Where can I find: on calcareous soil in coniferous and deciduous forests, often next to birches and small shrubs. They can form wide "witch circles".

Eating: in almost any form - fried, boiled or salted. But first it is necessary to soak in order to remove possible residual bitterness.

Other names: blackberry notched, hydnum notched, dentinum notched, deaf chanterelle.