Hydnum repandum

Morphological Features:

Pileus up to 15 cm in diameter, variable in color from beige to yellowish, though predominantly suede-colored. It is fleshy and dry, with a smooth or slightly felted surface; its shape is convex but highly irregular, with a lobed margin in mature specimens.

Hymenophore composed of very fragile spines that detach upon slight touch, approximately 6 mm long, whitish to cream-colored, decurrent on the stipe.

Stipe typically short and thick, occasionally eccentric, quite pale in color.

Flesh brittle and white, though it may yellow slightly; odor mild and fungal, taste somewhat bitter.

Habitat:

Appears from late summer in deciduous forests, growing in rings or rows; however, in pine woods it is a late-fruiting species that emerges when autumn is well advanced and can persist until the onset of snow. Common and abundant.

Observations:

It constitutes a good edible mushroom, better suited for accompanying stews than for eating alone, though personal preferences vary. It is often confused with Hydnum rufescens, which has a reddish pileus and is much more delicate. Hydnum albidum has been segregated as a distinct white and fragile species exclusive to pine woods; molecular studies are currently revealing new related taxa.