Boston Mycological Club
Cauliflower mushroom
Not often found, but not uncommon. The species of Sparassis we see around here are distinctive for their fan-like folds. Usually the discussion around identity of these mushrooms is among S. crispa, S. herbstii and S. radicata, with S. radicata a probable synonym for S. crispa. The key in Bessette's book delineates whether the tips of the fronds are dark or light, but the description of S. crispa notes that it is deeply rooting. Lincoff's guide distinguishes between S. cripsa having a "cord-like" root and S. radicata being "deeply rooted"; he also notes that the root of S. radicata is perennial. Barron's book notes that S. herbstii has "short, broad, rooting stalk". And Arora says that "true" S. crispa grows only in the west and that what we have out here is really S. spathulata! Go figure!
Bessette - Mushrooms of Northeastern North
America; page 415
Lincoff - Audubon Field Guide to North American
Mushrooms; page 411
Barron - Mushrooms of Northeast North America;
page 120
Kibby - Mushrooms and Other Fungi; page 156
Arora - Mushrooms Demystified; page 657
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| Brought to Walpole, NH; 2001-09-07 |