Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Hericiaceae

Photographed this fungus when a few of us spent the day botanizing on Rod Handfield's land, on 17 August 2012. Somehow, I just can't imagine eating this fungus, but according to Wikipedia, it is edible. We have seen several Eastern European people picking many of these to take home for cooking. Of course, mushroom picking is not allowed in any of the parks! "Hericium is a genus of edible mushrooms in the Hericiaceae family. Species in this genus are white and fleshy and grow on dead or dying wood; fruiting bodies resemble a mass of fragile icicle-like spines that are suspended from either a branched supporting framework or from a tough, unbranched cushion of tissue. This distinctive structure has earned Hericium species a variety of common names—monkey's head, lion's mane, and bear's head are examples. Taxonomically, this genus was previously placed within the order Aphyllophorales, but recent molecular studies now place it in the Russulales. Hericium means hedgehog in Latin." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hericium

From what I remember, I would say that this image is about life-size. I don't come across these Comb Tooth fungi very often, though we have seen several recently. They really are beautiful - with their cascades of gorgeous icicle-like spines. This one was growing on Rod Handfield's property, which several of us botanized again for the day on 17th August. Apparently, these fungi are edlible - BUT the usual rule applies, do NOT eat any fungus unless you are an expert and know for sure what you are looking at. (I've attempted to place my photo on my map, but can't guarantee how accurately I've located Rod's place.) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hericium