Hedgehog Mushroom

All Identification Points

Cream to pale salmon-buff irregular cap, often wavy

Distinctive cream spines (teeth) hanging beneath cap instead of gills

Solid pale cream stem, sometimes off-centre

Mild pleasant smell, firm white flesh

Often grows in troops or rings

Harvest Notes

One of the safest fungi for beginners due to unique ID. Cut at base. Scrape off spines if bitter.

Uses

Pan-fried, soup, pasta. Older specimens can be bitter — blanch first.

Equipment Needed

Knife, brush, basket.

Storage

Use within 4 days. Dries or pickles well.

Lookalikes

Spore Print

White

Relative Nutrition

Where to Find It

Leigh Woods and Goblin Combe beech woodland in autumn — look under beech leaf litter.