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Mushroom Monday: Cauliflower Fungus (Sparassis crispa)
Today’s Mushroom Monday mushroom is the cauliflower fungus (Sparassis crispa).
Where can Cauliflower Mushrooms be Found?
Cauliflower mushrooms can be found in Europe, the western coast of America, and Asia, although they are rare. They grow around Scots pine and other trees, and can be found close to the bases of the trees they grow with.
What do Cauliflower Mushrooms Look Like?
Cauliflower mushrooms look like their name implies – cauliflower. They also look like a sponge or a pile of thick noodles, with open spaces between the wavy white/pinkish folds. These mushrooms can grow very large (up to multiple feet in diameter). They have a unique look and there aren’t any unrelated look-alikes.
Do Cauliflower Mushrooms Have Gills?
Cauliflower mushrooms don’t have gills. They release their spores from pores that are on the top and bottom sides of the folds.
What Are Some Interesting Things About Cauliflower Mushrooms?
Besides their size and appearance, cauliflower mushrooms have other interesting qualities.
One interesting thing is that part of them extends deep underground, to around six feet.
Another interesting fact is that they release compounds that inhibit the growth of honey mushrooms. Although cauliflower mushrooms are weakly parasitic (and can cause brown rot), they might benefit the trees they are associated with more than they harm them because they can reduce the growth of honey mushrooms, which can be more strongly parasitic with trees.
Lastly, cauliflower mushrooms can contain a relatively large amount of water in their flesh.
If you liked learning about cauliflower mushrooms, check out our other Mushroom Monday posts on our TrueTreeTalk blog. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with these and other posts.
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