Content
Fellodon tomentosa or tomentose hedgehog belongs to numerous hedgehog mushrooms, the common feature of which is the presence of a spiny hymenophore. It is classified as a rare mushroom. Interestingly, its fruiting bodies can be used to dye wool and fabrics in various shades of brown, golden, and greenish.
What does a felted hedgehog look like?
Fellodons, or Phellodon tomentosus, are inhabitants of old coniferous forests. Many of them grow together, so that entire conglomerates arise, the size of which reaches 20 cm.
Description of the cap
The size of the Phellodon cap varies from 2 to 6 cm, no more. Its shape is depressed in the central part. It has a wrinkled, velvety surface with fine pubescence. Young hedgehogs have round and even caps. Over time, they change and acquire a sinuous edge.
An unusual feature is the concentric color. A white or light beige ring runs along the edge of the cap.Closer to the center there are rings of various shades of brown: with a grayish, yellow, red tone.
The pulp is yellow-brown. Dried mushroom has a specific smell reminiscent of fenugreek. It tastes bitter.
Description of the leg
The leg is solid, cylindrical in shape. Its length is 1-3 cm. The surface of the leg is usually smooth, sometimes slightly pubescent. The color, like that of the cap with rings, is brownish.
The bases of many mushrooms grow together with neighboring fruiting bodies; they contain needles, moss, and small twigs.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Phellodon tomentosa is classified as inedible. The main reason is the bitter taste. The level of toxicity has not been reliably studied. There is no exact information about whether it contains poison.
Attention! Among the hedgehogs, there are four inedible varieties: black, rough, false and felt.
Where and how does it grow
Grows on coniferous litter and soil. Prefers mixed and coniferous forests, mainly old-growth pine. Grows in numerous groups. Fruiting occurs from July to October.
Found in Western Siberia: in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Surgut, Novosibirsk region.
Phellodon demonstrates demands for clean soil. It is sensitive to sulfur and nitrogen content. For this reason, it grows only in very clean areas with poor soils.
Doubles and their differences
The striped hedgehog is similar to Phellodon tomentosa. The latter has a more slender fruiting body, brownish spines and dark red flesh. The striped hedgehog, like the felted one, is inedible.
Conclusion
Phellodon tomentosa cannot be considered a common mushroom. It can be recognized by the spikes and concentric patterns on the cap and stem.The mushroom cannot be eaten as food, since there is no exact information about how poisonous the pulp can be.
