How do you identify hedgehog mushrooms?

The hedgehog, or sweet tooth, is perhaps the most foolproof to identify of all wild mushrooms. Its yellow to orange cap and fruity odor are reminiscent of its summer-fruiting relative the golden chanterelle, but its tooth-covered underside distinguishes it from potential look-alikes.

Are there hedgehog mushroom look-alikes?

Similar species North American lookalikes include the white hedgehog (Hydnum albidum) and the giant hedgehog (Hydnum albomagnum). H. albidum has a white to pale yellowish grey fruit body that bruises yellow to orange.

Is the hedgehog mushroom edible?

The Terracotta Hedgehog, Hydnum rufescens, pictured, is a smaller, terracotta coloured mushroom from the same family and is edible. The Jelly Tongue, Pseudohydnum gelatinosum has spines but is very jelly like in texture and grows from wood and is edible if a little bland.

Can hedgehog mushrooms be white?

The reason why this mushroom is called hedgehog mushroom is that it has very distinctive spikes underneath its cap. This is the only mushroom family in the UK that has this so you cannot go wrong with picking it. They come in different shades ranging from very creamy white to yellow and even dark orange.

How to tell if a hedgehog is a mushroom?

Identification – 5/5 – Straightforward: Look for pale (salmon pink to cream) 4 – 20cm diameter eccentric caps with thick, squat stipes (often several fused together). Small, detachable spines (1 – 5mm) on the underside of the cap.

Where are the spines on a hedgehog mushroom?

Small, detachable spines (1 – 5mm) on the underside of the cap. The general gestalt of hedgehog mushrooms is of stocky solidity, though the flesh does break easily. If your hedgehog mushroom seem quite small and salmon pink or pale orange, you may have the closely related terracotta hedgehog ( h.rufescens ).

Where do Hedgehog mushrooms grow in the forest?

From forests filled with fir trees, to dense leafy areas, mossy ground, and even in wide-open spaces, hedgehog mushrooms have proven to be quite versatile in where they grow and where they can be found. This makes them an easy mushroom to locate and identify when foraging.

How do you find out how many mushrooms are in a family?

The mushrooms are grouped by family, so closely related mushrooms are listed together. Click on the pictures to enlarge them. If you click on a caption, the details regarding that mushroom is shown. There is also a beginner’s guide to the identification basics .