Sparassis crispa (Wulf.) Fr.
Syst. Myc. 1: 465. 1821.

Common Name: Cauliflower mushroom

Synonym: Sparassis radicata

• Sporocarp

  Fruiting body 20 cm broad, 40 cm tall, sometimes larger, a rounded mass of flattened, wavy, leaf-like branches, white to pale yellow; branch edges discoloring brown in age; arising from a large root-like sterile base, the upper portion appearing chambered when sectioned, solid below; flesh white. Hymenium on the flattened surfaces of the fruiting body. Odor fragrant, somewhat spicy.

• Spores

  Spores 5-7 X 3-5 µm elliptical, smooth. Spore deposit white.

• Habitat

  Usually solitary at the base of conifers, especially Bishop and Monterey pine; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter.

• Edibility

  Edible and choice, but cleaning debris from the branches can be a deterrent.

• Comments

  As its common name suggests, the densely branched fruiting body of Sparassis crispa resembles a cauliflower. Initially creamy-buff in color, the long-lived fruiting bodies gradually darken in age, especially along the branch edges. Sparassis crispa is believed to be parasitic on conifers. Affected trees produce annual fruitings, sometimes bushel basket in size. The size, color, and flattened branch structure of Sparassis crispa distinguish it from other members of the coral group.

• References

  Burdsall Jr., H.H. & Miller Jr., O.K. (1988). Type studies and nomenclatural considerations in the genus Sparassis. Mycotaxon 31(1): 199-206.
  Dai, Y.-C. , Wang, Z., Binder, M. & Hibbett, D.S. (2006). Phylogeny and a new species of Sparassis (Polyporales, Basidiomycota): evidence from mitochondrial atp6, nuclear rDNA and rpb2 genes. Mycologia 98(4): 584-592.
  Martin, K.J. & Gilbertson, R.L. (1976). Cultural and Other Morphological Studies of Sparassis radicata and Related Species. Mycologia 68(3): 622-639.
  Smith, A.H. (1949). Mushrooms in their Natural Habitats. Sawyer's Inc: Portland, OR. 626 p.
  Wang, Z., Binder, M., Dai, Y.-C. & Hibbett, D.S. (2004). Phylogenetic relationships of Sparassis inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial ribosomal DNA and RNA polymerase sequences. Mycologia 96(5): 1015-1029.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Michael Boom: Sparassis crispa (CP)
  • Tom Duffy: Sparassis crispa (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Sparassis crispa (CP)
  • Taylor F. Lockwood: Sparassis crispa (CP)
  • Robert Mackler: Sparassis crispa (CP) -- closeup of older sporocarp
  • Bob West: Sparassis crispa (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Sparassis crispa (CP) -- This sporocarp is from Scotland
  • Handbook to Additional Fungal Species of Special Concern in the Northwest Forest Plan: Sparassis crispa (D & CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik -- Hunting for Mushrooms: Sparassis crispa (CP)
  • Elias Fries' fungus plates: Sparassis crispa (I)
  • Svampbok: Sparassis crispa (D & CP)
  • Pilze, Pilze, Pilze: Sparassis crispa (CP)
  • Kinok-ya: Sparassis crispa (CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Sparassis crispa (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 657 (D), plate 172 (CP)
  • Arora (1991): p. 209 (D & CP) [as Sparassis radicata]
  • Fischer & Bessette: p. 115 (D), p. 116 (CP) [as Sparassis radicata]
  • Lincoff: p. 412 (D), plate 755 (CP) [as Sparassis radicata]
  • McKenny et al.: p. 183 (D & CP)
  • Miller: sp. 275 (D & CP) [as Sparassis radicata]
  • Smith: sp. 28 (D & CP) [as Sparassis radicata]
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)