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Cauliflower Fungus

Fungi

Sparassis crispa, commonly known as cauliflower fungus or cauliflower mushroom, is an edible species that grows at the base of conifer trees, particularly pines, in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its large fruiting body is made up of numerous flattened, wavy, ribbon-like lobes that together resemble a head of cauliflower or a sea sponge, and a single specimen can weigh several kilograms.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Parasitic 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 2
Relationship to People
Eaten or Drunk by People 3
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
The lobes, which carry the spore-bearing surface, are flat and wavy, resembling lasagna pasta, coloured white to creamy yellow 1
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
GNR Unranked 4
Scientific Name
Sparassis crispa 1
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated 5
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Polyporales, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Cauliflower Fungus
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Sparassis crispa - Wikipedia
  • Introduction
    Sparassis crispa is a species of fungus in the family Sparassidaceae
  • Description section
    The lobes, which carry the spore-bearing surface, are flat and wavy, resembling lasagna pasta, coloured white to creamy yellow
  • Article text
    It is a brown rot fungus, found growing parasitically at the base of conifer trunks, often pines but also spruce, cedar, larch and others. == Uses == It is considered a good edible fungus when young and fresh but is difficult to clean. (A toothbrush and running water are recommended.) 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.
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2. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species APIView the Source
3. First Nature: Sparassis crispa fungus page
First NatureCulinary Notes
Quote, Culinary Notes
Sparassis crispa is edible when young and fresh, but this fungus should not be eaten when it begins turning brown.
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4. NatureServe Explorer: Sparassis crispa
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "GNR"
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5. GBIF (IUCN Red List category): GBIF IUCN Red List category for Sparassis crispa
GBIF (IUCN Red List category)GBIF taxon key 2550247, category field
Quote, GBIF taxon key 2550247, category field
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
International Union for Conservation of NatureView the Source
Wikidata: Cauliflower Fungus
  • Wikidata Q36992, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Child Taxon Of: Polyporales, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
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