Sarcodon imbricatus is a rare mushroom in southern Britain but increasingly more plentiful as you go further north, so that in the Caledonian Forest of northern Scotland these remarkable hedgehog fungi are quite a common sight.When fully expanded the caps can be up to 15cm and occasionally 20cm across. The name 'sarcodon' means scaly tooth, and indeed the cap surface breaks up into sparply-pointed scales towards the centre while the underside of the cap has a spore-bearing surface comprising a neat aray of spines, as shown below, which are typically 5 to 10mm long:
Found under coniferous trees, and most commonly pines (Scots Pine in Scotland, of course!), these fleshy fungi are reportedly edible when young, but the taste is rather bitter and they are prone to maggot infestation; so, rather like Dryad's Saddle, Beefsteak Fungus and many other visually attractive large woodland fungi, they are probably best enjoyed in situ rather than being seen as a source of food.
Much more likely finds in the southern part of Britain are Hydnum repandum and Hydnum fufescens, two hedgehog fungi that are fairly common if not widespread as well as very good to eat. Within a forthcoming book about fungi, due to be launched in 2010, there is a chapter on our favourite wild mushroom recipes; one of the recipes is for 'Hedgehogs on Toast'... delicious! More on that subject in the New Year...
Much more likely finds in the southern part of Britain are Hydnum repandum and Hydnum fufescens, two hedgehog fungi that are fairly common if not widespread as well as very good to eat. Within a forthcoming book about fungi, due to be launched in 2010, there is a chapter on our favourite wild mushroom recipes; one of the recipes is for 'Hedgehogs on Toast'... delicious! More on that subject in the New Year...
