Sparassis crispa

Sparassis crispa is a species of fungus in the genus Sparassis. In English it is sometimes called cauliflower fungus.[1]

Sparassis crispa
Sparassis crispa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Polyporales
Family:	Sparassidaceae
Genus:	Sparassis
Species:	S. crispa
Binomial name
Sparassis crispa (Wulfen) Fr. (1821)
Synonyms
Clavaria crispa Wulfen (1781) Sparassis radicata Weir 1917

Sparassis crispa
float Mycological characteristics
	smooth hymenium
	no distinct cap
	hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable
	lacks a stipe or is bare
	spore print is white to cream
	ecology is saprotrophic
	edibility: choice

Description

S. crispa grows in an entangled globe that is up to 60 centimetres (24 inches) in diameter. The lobes, which carry the spore-bearing surface, are flat and wavy, resembling lasagna noodles, coloured white to creamy yellow. When young they are tough and rubbery but later they become soft (they are monomitic).[2] The odour is pleasant and the taste of the flesh mild.

The spore print is cream, the smooth oval spores measuring about 5 - 7 µm by 3.5 - 5 µm.[3][2] The flesh contains clamp connections.[4]

Ecology, distribution and related species

This species is a brown rot fungus, found growing at the base of conifer trunks, often pines, but also spruce, cedar, larch and others. It is fairly common in Great Britain and temperate Europe (but not in the boreal zone).[4][2]

In Europe there is also a less well-known species of the same genus, Sparassis brevipes, which can be distinguished by its less crinkled, zoned folds and lack of clamp connections.[4][2]

S. brevipes, a similar species

Culinary use

It is considered a good edible fungus when young and fresh,[3] though it is difficult to clean (a toothbrush and running water are recommended for that process). One French cookbook, which gives four recipes for this species, says that grubs and pine needles can get caught up in holes in the jumbled mass of flesh. The Sparassis should be blanched in boiling water for 2–3 minutes before being added to the rest of the dish.[5][1]

References

1. Roger Phillips (1998). Mushrooms and other fungi of Great Britain & Europe. Cavaye Place, London SW10 9PG: Pan Books. p. 255.CS1 maint: location (link)
2. Læssøe, H.; Petersen, Jens (2019). Fungi of Temperate Europe. Princeton University Press. p. 954. ISBN 9780691180373.
3. Marcel Bon (1987). The Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and North-western Europe. 7 Bond Street, St. Helier, Jersey: Domino Books Ltd. p. 308. ISBN 978-0-340-39935-4.CS1 maint: location (link)
4. Geoffrey Kibby (2017). Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain & Europe Vol. 1. Geoffrey Kibby. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-9572094-2-8.}
5. Frédéric Jaunault, Jean-Luc Brillet (1981). Toutes les bases de la cuisine aux champignons (in French). 13 rue du Breil, Rennes, France: Editions Ouest-France. p. 183. ISBN 2 7373 2275 8.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link) CS1 maint: location (link)