Cauliflower Fungus - Sparissis crispa
Main features
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Found on conifer stumps especially Pine
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Fruitbody consists of many folds of scraggy flesh
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Flesh is cream-coloured and browns with age
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Reaches 40cm wide and 25cm tall
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Smells sweet
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Spores are dirty white
Cauliflower Fungus - Sparissis crispa
Edible mushroom - novice
Other common names: Cauliflower Mushroom, Wood Cauliflower
Scientific name meaning: Sparissis comes from the Greek word Sparagmos meaning to tear. Crispa is from the Latin Crispo, meaning to curl
Season - when will I find it? Summer to Autumn
Habitat - where will I find it? Growing on conifer stumps, especially Pine
Description - what does it look like?
Growth: A saprobic fungus found as individual fruit bodies and small groups on coniferous stumps
Fruitbody: Size is up to 40cm wide and 25cm tall. Cream coloured when young, but browning with age. Has many folds of scraggy flesh, resembling a bundle of pale-coloured seaweed
Pores: The pore surface is cream coloured and too small to see with the naked eye
Stem: No real discernible stem
Flesh: Cream, browning with age
Smell: Sweet
Spore colour: Dirty white
Possible lookalikes Could be confused with the Spatula Cauliflower (Sparissis spathulata), but the folded flesh is much flatter. It is also edible but not considered as tasty. Could also be cnfused with Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa), but this has thicker flesh, is more grey coloured and grows on Oak
Use as a food Cauliflower Fungus has a lovely hazelnut-like taste and a chewy texture.
Only young, fresh specimens should be used for eating. Older specimens are tough and full of forest detritus.
See Hazards regarding other consumption warnings
Use in herbal medicine Has been found to increase wound healing in diabetes mellitus patients, increase haemoglobin production, have anti-tumour properties, and have anti-fungal properties under lab conditions
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner
Hazards This mushroom is often very dirty and requires extensive cleaning
Importance to other species Provides food for slugs and snails
Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!