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Phellodon accreta is a species of hedgehog that can often be found while walking through the forest. It belongs to the Bunker family and is officially named Phellodon connatus. During development, it grows through conifer needles, which is why it has such an unusual shape. Another name is Hedgehog fused.
What does a fused Phellodon look like?
This hedgehog differs from other fellows in its wave-like shape. It is a fruiting body with a stalk located in the center. When individual specimens are located close together, they are combined into a single whole. Moreover, they can be of different levels, which explains the unusual shape of the appearance.
Description of the cap
Phellodon is characterized by a rounded, outstretched cap with a diameter of 2-4 cm.Its shape is cone-shaped, irregular, and a funnel is formed in the center. The main shade is gray-black, which changes as it grows. Young specimens have a white contrasting edge along the entire edge. Thickness – moderately thin.
Its lower surface is dotted with short white spines, which subsequently acquire a gray-violet hue.
Description of the leg
The leg is black, thin, short. Closer to the cap it thickens. Its average height ranges from 1-3 cm. The consistency is tight. The transition of the stem to the cap is smooth. The surface is felt, often containing particles of forest litter.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
This species belongs to the category of inedible. There is no official information that Phellodon accrete is poisonous. But it cannot be used for food, since the mushroom pulp is dry and woody.
Where and how does the hedgehog grow?
Prefers to grow in coniferous and mixed forests, on sandy soil near pine trees. The active growth period occurs in August and continues until the end of October.
In Russia, this species can be found in many temperate forests. Moreover, the colder the region, the less often it can be found.
Doubles and their differences
In terms of external features, fused Phellodon resembles black hedgehog. But the latter has a more massive cap, its diameter is 3-8 cm. The color of the mushroom varies from bright blue to black. The surface is velvety, the flesh is woody. The leg is thickened and short. The black species grows in mossy places, the fruiting period is July-October.
Also, the fused Phellodon in appearance resembles the Finnish hedgehog, which is also inedible. The cap of this species is convex or semi-convex with a smooth surface.The color is brown or red-brown, becoming lighter towards the edges. The consistency of the pulp is dense, white in color. The period of active growth occurs at the beginning of autumn.
Conclusion
Phellodon accreta belongs to the category of mushrooms under the general name of hedgehog mushrooms. This group includes both edible and inedible species. But despite this, this species is not suitable for consumption. Therefore, it is worth studying the description of edible mushrooms in advance to avoid mistakes.
