October 2015
Mushroom of the Month

Hedgehogs

The Sweet Tooth Mushrooms
Hydnum Repandum
Hydnum umbilicatum

Note in some references: Hydnum is called Dentinum

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First we will show the characteristic of Hedgehogs in General

The cap can be the color of Chanterelles




The underside of the cap has teeth
This is a clear feature for identification

Now to the differences between:
Hydnum repandum and
Hydnum umbilicatum

Hydnum Repandum
Short thick stem
Stem usually off center
Often irregularly shaped
Under hardwoods like Birch and Beech.


Hydnum umbilicatum A more centered stem
Depression at top center
Smaller
Under conifers

Hydnum Repandum

Note: size, off-center stem, irregular shape

Photos by David L. Spahr Used with permission

Hydnum umbilicatum

Note: centered stem, dip in center of cap, size

Photo by David L. Spahr Used with permission

Summary

Hedghogs are a good eating mushroom

Teeth make it reasonably easy to Identify

When: August to November

Preparation:
They can be sauteed, fried or dried
Flavor & smell is similar to Chanterelles

One Final Note:
There are other Toothed Mushrooms

For Example, the following also have teeth under the cap:
Sarcodon:
Bankera:
Hydnellum
Phellodon

However, the above toothed mushrooms have
a very different appearance
See Danny Millers Pictorial Key to see the difference

Here are some references if you want to see more about
Hydnum repandum andHydnum umbilicatum

Click here for info from Musroom-Collecting.com

Click Here for Danny Millers Pictorial Key

Click Here for images from velutipes.com and then click on Hydnum in left column

Happy Mushroom
 Hunting and Eating