Hare cabbage (Sparassis crispa)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Incertae sedis (undefined)
- Order: Polyporales
- Family: Sparassidaceae (Sparassaceae)
- Genus: Sparassis (Sparassis)
- Species: Sparassis crispa (Hare cabbage)
- Other names for the mushroom:
- Sparassis curly
- Mushroom cabbage
Other names:
Mushroom cabbage
Boron cabbage
Hare cabbage
Dryagel curly
Fruit body:
Specimens weighing several kilograms are far from uncommon. The color is whitish, yellowish or brownish by old age. The leg goes deep into the soil, is connected with the roots of the pine, and branches above the ground. The branches are dense, curly at the ends. The pulp is whitish, waxy, with a specific taste and smell.
Season and place:
Grows in summer and autumn mainly under pine trees.
Similarity:
If you remember exactly where this mushroom grows, you cannot confuse it with anything.
Rating:
The mushroom is edible and delicious. Clean thoroughly! Old mushrooms can be bitter.