Cauliflower mushroom | |
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Sparassis crispa | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Basidiomycota |
Class: | Agaricomycetes |
Order: | Polyporales |
Family: | Sparassidaceae |
Genus: | Sparassis Fr. (1819) |
Type species | |
Sparassis crispa (Wulfen) Fr. 1821
| |
Species | |
See text. |
Sparassis (also known as cauliflower mushroom) is a genus of parasitic and saprobic mushroom characterised by its unique shape and appearance and is found around the globe. [1] Its appearance can be described as similar to a sea sponge, a brain or a head of cauliflower, hence its popular name.
It is increasingly cultivated and sold in Korea, Japan, the United States and Australia.
The generic name comes from the Greek sparassein, meaning to tear.[2]
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