Hydnellum species?

[janetmacp]

Please could I have help with this fungi? Found growing in pine woods in Culbin Forest. Very pitted concave cap looking distinctly mouldy in places. Picture below taken about an hour after picking. Spines going down stipe as illustrated in second pic. Measured 3cms across and was 6cms tall. Stipe not hollow. In a group of 4 or 5.





Following day it is very blackened and tough. Spore print was brownish.

[Chris Yeates]

hello and welcome

Hydnellum a definite possibility, perhaps H. ferrugineum?; I don't know this group very well, others will be able to speak with more authority about this fungus; the mould suggests it is a rather old specimen and may therefore not be showing typical characters

lucky you - the Culbin Forest area is fascinating area (only ever been there once, many years ago)

best wishes

Chris

[FungiJohn]

It certainly looks like Hydnellum. Did you notice any smell associated with it ... peppermint by chance?

John

[janetmacp]

Never thought to smell it - looked rather disgusting! I started off thinking it was a Boletus then could find no reference to a Boletus having the pores run down the stipe. Then I realised they were spines not pores & once I remembered Hydnum repandum, I then went on to the Hydnellum lot. However, I did wonder if it might be one of last year's H. repandums? I think it is too early for this year's crop.

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by janetmacp

. . . . once I remembered Hydnum repandum, I then went on to the Hydnellum lot. However, I did wonder if it might be one of last year's H. repandums? I think it is too early for this year's crop.

the two genera differ structurally:
Hydnum is a genus whose members have generative-hyphae (the tubes of which the fungus is constructed) which swell or inflate in the manner of the familiar mushrooms and toadstools; this means that they grow quickly, but also decay relatively quickly
Hydnellum and Phellodon are formed of generative-hyphae which do not inflate, they therefore grow more slowly and can survive several weeks or even months

best

Chris

[mollisia]

Hello,

Hydnellum for sure, also my opinion. I'm not sure whether that is mould on the fruitbody, may be it looks like this. H. ferrugineum is an option, that should smell and taste seomwhat mealy, like Calocybe gambosa. Another idea is H. peckii, that one would taste very hot, like some Russula species. H. concrescens is also in the race, and may be some more.

best regards,
Andreas