Hericium erinaceus

For the other species named hedgehog mushroom, see Hydnum repandum.

Hericium erinaceus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Russulales
Family: Hericiaceae
Genus: Hericium
Species:
H. erinaceus
Binomial name
Hericium erinaceus
(Bull.) Persoon (1797)
Synonyms
  • Hydnum erinaceus Bull. (1781)
  • Clavaria erinaceus
  • Dryodon erinaceus
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Teeth on hymenium
No distinct cap
Hymenium attachment is not applicable
Lacks a stipe
Spore print is white
Ecology is saprotrophic
Edibility is choice

Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as lion's mane mushroom, yamabushitake, bearded tooth fungus, or bearded hedgehog,[1] is an edible mushroom belonging to the tooth fungus group.[2] Native to North America, Europe, and Asia, it can be identified by its long spines (longer than 1 centimetre or 1⁄2 inch), occurrence on hardwoods, and tendency to grow a single clump of dangling spines. The fruit bodies can be harvested for culinary use.

H. erinaceus can be mistaken for other species of Hericium, which grow across the same range. In the wild, these mushrooms are common during late summer and fall on hardwoods, particularly American beech and maple. Usually H. erinaceus is considered saprophytic, as it mostly feeds on dead trees.[3] It can also be found on living trees, so it may be a tree parasite. This could indicate an endophytic habitat.[3] Outside of cultivation, lion's mane is usually associated with a tree wound and causes a white pocket rot. Decayed tissue becomes spongy and eventually disintegrates to form a cavity. The distinctive fruiting bodies (basidiocarps) generally appear near the edges of old wounds in the fall.[4]

  1. ^ Arora, David (1986). Mushrooms demystified: a comprehensive guide to the fleshy fungi (Second ed.). Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. ISBN 978-0-89815-169-5.
  2. ^ "Reforestation: Traditional Methods Have to Change". The Sierra Forest Voice. Vol. 8, no. 2. 2015. Archived from the original on 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  3. ^ a b "Lion's mane mushroom". Drugs.com. 23 November 2020. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).