Genus Hydnum 



essential character is a solid, fleshy body with short protecting 

 branches bearing numerous simple or branched teeth, which 

 may vary in length from one-sixth of an inch to two inches. 



Medusa's Head (Edible) 



Hydnum caput-medusce 



Hydnum caput-medusce has knob-like branches, with short, 

 distorted teeth above, and long, uniform ones below. At first it 

 is white, but later changes to a smoky or ash colour. The change 

 in colour from white to an ashy tint distinguishes it from H. 

 caput-ursi, which changes to creamy white. 



Hedgehog Hydnum (Edible) 



Hydnum echinaceus 



The hedgehog hydnum is white at first, and then creamy. 

 The branches are knob-like, and bear numerous straight, equal 

 teeth about two inches long. 



Coral Hydnum (Edible) 



Hydnum coralloides 



Plant — Pure white, becoming creamy with age. 



branches and Teeth — Numerous, spreading, angular or flattened. 

 Terminal branches often curved upwards, terminating in a 

 crowded mass of spines. Teeth, %-yi of an inch long. 



Stem — Short, dividing into branches almost from the base. 



Flesh — Tender, white, with agreeable taste. 



Time — ^July to October. 



Habitat — On prostrate trees in mountainous or hilly country. 



When a mere child, Elias Fries was so attracted by this beau- 

 tiful coral-like fungus, which grew in his native forests in Sweden, 

 that he was led to take up the study of fungi, and later became 

 one of the most prominent students in that branch of botany, 

 and laid the foundation for the study of the Basidioniycetes. 



CX'-put-me-du'-sce Ech-I-na'-95-us C6r-il-loi -des 



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