438 



MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AND OTHERWISE 



The long wavy spines resemble the wavy locks of Medusa, hence the name. The 

 long soft spines cover the entire surface of the fungus, which is divided into 

 fleshy branches or divisions, each terminating in a crown of shorter drooping 

 teeth. 



The color at first is white, changing in age to a buff or a dark cream, which 

 distinguishes it from H. caput-ursi. The taste is sweet and aromatic, sometimes 

 slightly pungent. The stem is short and concealed beneath the growth. 



I found this plant growing on a hickory log, on Lee's hill, near 

 Chillicothe, from which came the specimen in Figure 366. I have also found it on 

 elm and beech. Found from July to October. 



It is both attractive and palatable. 



Figure 367. Hydnum coralloides. One-fourth natural size. Entire plant white. 



Hydnum coralloides. Scop. 



The Coral-like Hydnum. Edible. 



This species grows in large, beautiful tufts on decaying logs, in damp woods. 

 It grows from a common stem, dividing into many branches and then sub-dividing 

 into many long and coral-like shoots, composed wholly of attenuated interlacing 



