Hydnellum suaveolens

[ Basidiomycetes > Thelephorales > Bankeraceae > Hydnellum ... ]

by Michael Kuo

Among the many species of Hydnellum that demonstrate blue shades, Hydnellum suaveolens is fairly easily separated with a combination of three features: a white cap, a purplish blue stem, and a strong fragrant odor. Yes, the cap can become dingy and brownish with age; yes, the stem is sometimes less blue than it "should" be; and yes, the odor can be weak or almost undetectable--but typical, fresh specimens generally tow the suaveolens line. Look for this gorgeous species under conifers--especially spruces--across North America.

Description:

Ecology: Mycorrhizal with conifers (especially spruces); growing alone or gregariously; summer and fall; widely distributed in North America.

Cap: Usually single but occasionally fused with other caps; 5-14 cm wide; convex, becoming flat; velvety; sometimes ridged or pitted; white to whitish or very pale yellowish when fresh and young, becoming dingy grayish to brownish or olive over the center.

Undersurface: Running down the stem; covered with crowded spines that are 3-7 mm long; whitish at first, becoming brownish to brown.

Stem: 2-5 cm long; 1-2 cm thick at apex; more or less cylindric; purplish blue.

Flesh: Whitish to brownish, with zones of blue or brown (especially in the stem); tough but pliant.

Odor and Taste: Odor strong and fragrant or minty, often developing slowly after the mushroom is picked; taste mild.

Chemical Reactions: KOH on flesh bluish.

Spore Print: Brown.

Microscopic Features: Spores 4-6 x 3-4 µ; irregular; nodulose. Clamp connections present.

REFERENCES: (Scopoli, 1772) Karsten, 1879. (Fries, 1821; Saccardo, 1888; Coker & Beers, 1951; Hall & Stuntz, 1972; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1981; Baird, 1986; Phillips, 1991/2005; McNeil, 2006; Miller & Miller, 2006.)

Further Online Information:

Hydnellum suaveolens at MykoWeb
Hydnellum suaveolens at Roger's Mushrooms

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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2009, April). Hydnellum suaveolens. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/hydnellum_suaveolens.html