Sarcodon laevigatus (Sw.) P. Karst.
Meddn Soc. Fauna Flora fenn. 6: 16. 1881.

Common Name: none

Synonym: Hydnum laevigatus

• Description

  For description see 'California Mushrooms'.

• Habitat

  Solitary or in fused clusters, often buried in sandy soil under conifers (fir, pine); fruiting in fall in the Sierra Nevada mountains; uncommon.

• Edibility

  Unknown.

• Comments

  Sarcodon laevigatus can be distinguished by its robust fruitbodies with vinaceous brown to grayish brown felted caps that become cracked in age, grayish brown spines, white context tissue that discolors gray to lilac-gray, a farinaceous odor, bitter-farinaceous taste, and abundant clamp connections. Application of 3% KOH turns the cap surface black and the context olive-gray.

  Sarcodon leucopus (Pers.) Maas Geest. & Nannf. may be the correct name for this taxa. Research is progressing.
  

• References

  Banker, Howard J. Type Studies in the Hydnaceae: III. The Genus Sarcodon. Mycologia 5. 1 (1913): 12-17.
  Desjardin, D.E., Wood, M.G. & Stevens, F.A. (2015). California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press: Portland, OR. 560 p.
  Franklin, W.A. (1999). An Alpha-Taxonomic Study of Hydnellum and Sarcodon for Northern California. Masters Thesis. Humbolt State University: Arcata, CA. 93 p. (PDF)
  Maas Geesteranus, R. & Nannfeldt, J.A. (1969). The genus Sarcodon in Sweden in the light of recent investigations. Svensk Botanisk Tidskrift 63: 401-440. (PDF)

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  Main Photo
  • Michael Wood: Sarcodon laevigatus (CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Sarcodon laevigatus (CP)
  
  

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