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Sparassis, the Cauliflowers

This section is a quick explanation of some of the identifying characteristics of Sparassis species which fall into the taxonomic family Sparassidaceae.
As with all of these pages, they are NOT intended to be used as a key or diagnostic tool, but a guide of basic identifying characteristics so that you can make informed decisions and easy-access to other, more detailed resources.

Edibility basics and testing

Sparassis spathulata and americana, the Cauliflower Mushroom

Like a pot of egg-noodles

Like a pot of egg-noodles

Like a pot of egg-noodles

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S. americana is often associated with mature oaks and hardwoods but can be found under pines and is usually found from late summer to early winter. Usually you'll see them in the distance, like a pot of egg-noodles that was dumped in the woods. 

Cut, don't pull

Like a pot of egg-noodles

Like a pot of egg-noodles

image240

Unlike most mushrooms, this fruitbody has a thick 'root' anchoring it to the deeply buried organism and pulling that root will discourage later fruiting. Cut at the base and don't pull.
With age the tips will dry and blacken, trim those off.

S. americana texture

Like a pot of egg-noodles

S. americana texture

image241

S americana can grow to be well over 10lbs, and is described as having 'short and contorted branches' of white to tan color.

They will fruit for several years in about the same location, so mark your GPS when you find one.

S. spathulata

S. spathulata

S. americana texture

image242

S. spathulata is our other Eastern Cauliflower mushroom with broad, flat branches. 

Photo by: Jeanie Reynolds Gray

Easy to ID.

S. spathulata

Unique flavor

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These are a great beginner mushroom for consumption because so few things look like them. This specimen is a bit dry to be 'prime'

For more general info follow the link. 

Photo by: Alicia Brown

More about Sparassis

Unique flavor

S. spathulata

Unique flavor

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The flavor of Sparassis is very unique and should be showcased, not hidden under overwhelming sauces (unless you have quite a bounty!). There is an almost herbal quality to this meaty fruitbody and it lends itself as a star in soups, especially since it doesn't degrade with boiling.

Look-a-likes

Hydnopolyporus

The back of Hydnopolyporus

The back of Hydnopolyporus

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Hydnopolyporus fimbriatus can take a form that readily resembles Sparassis spathulata. As the name implies, fimbria - fringed - will have fringed edges. The fringes are variable in size and often make for a confusing look-a-like to S. spathulata.
Photo provided by April Kuhlmann 

The back of Hydnopolyporus

The back of Hydnopolyporus

The back of Hydnopolyporus

image246

Unlike the relatively 'smooth' Sparassis spp., Hydnopolyporus has broken-pore like teeth on its underside.

Photo by Claudia Littrell

Thelephora

More about Thelephora

More about Thelephora

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There are several species of Thelephora, which are in the family Thelephoraceae and very taxonomically removed from most other fungi discussed on this website (related more closely to the "blue chanterelle" [Polyozellus multiplex]). The imaged Thelephora is likely Thelephora vialis. Thelephora are often smaller but can take on the 'pinwheel' like shapes seen with S. spathulata.

Photo by Becca Mahoney

More about Thelephora

More about Thelephora

More about Thelephora

image248

The wrinkled underside of Thelephora spp can take on several dull colors and this genus forms mycorrhizal relationships with hard and softwoods. The fruitbodies are often leathery.

 Photo by Becca Mahoney 


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