John Miller
Lion's mane mushrooms, or Hericium erinaceus, are native to North America and Eurasia. They are commonly found on hardwood trees such as beech, maple, ash, oaks, and eucalyptus. In the wild, they are usually associated with tree wounds and cause white pocket rot, leading to the disintegration of decayed tissue. Lion's mane mushrooms are considered choice edible mushrooms and are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They can be found growing outdoors in Kentucky, particularly during late summer and autumn. However, they require good humidity and suitable pH levels for optimal growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Lion's mane, yamabushitake, bearded tooth fungus, bearded hedgehog |
| Scientific name | Hericium erinaceus |
| Appearance | Cascading, icicle-like shape with dangling spines longer than 1 cm |
| Size | 5-40 cm in diameter |
| Habitat | Native to North America and Eurasia |
| Season | Late summer and autumn |
| Host trees | American beech, maple, ash, oaks, eucalyptus, black walnut, elm |
| Optimal pH | 6.0 |
| Growth medium | Hardwood logs, sawdust, artificial logs, liquid culture |
| Growth conditions | Shady area with good humidity and air circulation |
| Harvest time | When spines have elongated but before the top turns yellow or pink |
| Edibility | Choice edible mushroom; used in gourmet cooking |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Lions mane mushrooms grow on dead or living trees
Lions mane mushrooms (hericium species) are native to North America and Eurasia. They are common during late summer and autumn on hardwoods, particularly American beech and maple. They tend to grow in a single clump with dangling spines longer than 1 centimetre (1/2 inch). They are usually white and are often found on dead or dying trees.
In the wild, lion's mane is typically considered saprophytic, as it mostly feeds on dead trees. It can also be found on living trees, usually in association with a wound. It is a choice edible mushroom and is used in traditional Chinese medicine, although its alleged medicinal benefits are not reliably proven.
Lions mane mushrooms grow slowly and need good humidity during the process. They require adequate substrate factors, including suitable carbon and nitrogen sources, a certain pH value, and an ideal carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. The pH values most suitable for the favourable growth of lions mane are in the range of 5.0–9.0, with pH 6.0 as optimal.
The solid substrate is most commonly a mixture of sawdust of hardwood or conifer containing different complements that may include wheat bran, wheat straw, soybean meal, corn meal, rice bran, and rice straw. For example, lions mane mushroom strains grow on beech sawdust substrate enriched with wheat bran (20%), rye grain (25%), soybean meal (7%), rapeseed meal (10%), or meat-osseous flour (6%). An example of a liquid substrate composition can be glucose for the carbon source, soybean powder, corn powder, and wheat bran powder as a complex nitrogen source.
In North America, lions mane has been found on coast live oak, canyon live oak, interior live oak, California black oak, blue oak, and valley oak. They are able to withstand cold temperatures and frost conditions.
Mushroom Leather: Eco-Friendly and Biodegradable?
You may want to see also
They are native to North America and Eurasia
The Lion's Mane mushroom, or Hericium erinaceus, is native to North America and Eurasia. It is a species of tooth fungus, characterised by dangling spines longer than 1 centimetre (1/2 inch). It grows in a single clump and is typically found on hardwoods, particularly American beech and maple. It is saprophytic, feeding mostly on dead trees, but can also be found on living trees, usually in association with a wound.
In North America, the Lion's Mane mushroom is commonly found on maple, ash, oaks, eucalyptus, and walnut trees. It is often discovered in the wild, associated with a tree wound and causing white pocket rot. The decayed tissue becomes spongy and eventually disintegrates to form a cavity. The distinctive fruiting bodies, or basidiocarps, generally appear near the edges of old wounds in autumn. In California, for example, Lion's Mane has been found on various oak species, including coast live oak, canyon live oak, and California black oak.
In Eurasia, the Lion's Mane mushroom is known by many different names. In Japan, it is called yamabushitake, referring to the yamabushi or mountain ascetics of the Shugendo religion. In China, it is known as hóutóugū or "monkey-head mushroom", while in Korea, it is called noru gungdeng-i beoseot or "deer butt mushroom". Despite these varied names, the mushroom is still recognised by its distinctive features and growth habits.
The Lion's Mane mushroom is not only native to these regions but is also cultivated and sold in Asian groceries, sometimes as the monkey head mushroom. Wild-grown Lion's Mane is said to have a superior taste compared to its cultivated counterpart. In addition to its culinary uses, Lion's Mane has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. However, it is important to note that its alleged medicinal benefits are not reliably proven, and the quality can vary due to inconsistent processing and labelling.
Overall, the Lion's Mane mushroom is a fascinating species native to diverse habitats across North America and Eurasia. Its unique appearance, growth habits, and culinary and medicinal uses make it a well-known and valued fungus in many parts of the world.
Psychedelics: Shrooms vs Acid, Which is Stronger?
You may want to see also
They are common in late summer and autumn
Lions mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are native to North America and Eurasia. They are common in late summer and autumn on hardwoods, particularly American beech and maple. They can also be found on ash, oaks, eucalyptus, and black walnut. In Kentucky, mushrooms grow in the wild most of the year, but fall proves a good time to find diverse mushroom types.
Lions mane mushrooms tend to grow in a single clump with dangling spines longer than 1 centimetre (1/2 inch). They are typically considered saprophytic, as they mostly feed on dead trees. They can also be found on living trees, usually in association with a wound. The decayed tissue becomes spongy and eventually disintegrates to form a cavity. The distinctive fruiting bodies (known as basidiocarps) generally appear near the edges of old wounds in autumn.
Lions mane mushrooms are one of the few mushrooms that will grow on black walnut. Tulip, poplar, and willow are also suitable for short-term production. For long-term production, choose elm, oak, chestnut, or black walnut. Lions mane mushrooms seem to grow slowly and need good humidity during the process. They can take up to two years to really thrive, but your logs will bear fruit for up to six years.
To harvest lions mane mushrooms, look for the point when clear teeth have formed, usually four to seven days after pins start popping up. Cut the ball close to the base, taking care not to damage the spine. Refrigerate them right after harvest in a ventilated container. They will keep for up to two weeks in the fridge. Lions mane mushrooms are a choice edible mushroom and are used in traditional Chinese medicine, although their alleged medicinal benefits are not reliably proven.
Mushroom Consumption: Black Stool Warning Sign?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They grow slowly and need good humidity
Lions mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are known for their cascading, icicle-like shape, with dangling spines longer than 1 centimetre. They are native to North America and Eurasia and are common during late summer and autumn. While they can be found on living trees, they are typically associated with tree wounds and feed on dead trees.
When growing lion's mane mushrooms, it is important to note that they grow slowly and require good humidity. Maintaining the right moisture levels can be challenging, and they may dry out if not properly cared for. To prevent this, you can try partially burying the logs vertically or moving them to a better location with higher humidity. Another option is to soak the logs or place them in a bucket or empty aquarium to help retain water. Misting them with water using a spray bottle can also help increase humidity.
In Kentucky, mushrooms grow in the wild most of the year, but fall offers a greater variety of mushroom types. Lions mane mushrooms specifically thrive in late September to early November. They can be found in various locations, including open fields and urban backyards, but they typically grow on hardwoods such as oak, maple, and birch.
When harvesting lion's mane mushrooms, it is important to do so when the spines have elongated but before the top softens and turns yellow or pink. This ensures that the mushrooms are at their prime for consumption. Overall, lion's mane mushrooms are a unique and delectable treat that can be successfully grown with the right conditions and proper humidity levels.
Mushroom Bordelaise: A Rich, Savory Sauce for Meat Dishes
You may want to see also
They are edible and used in traditional Chinese medicine
Lions mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are native to North America and Eurasia. They are edible and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. They are also known as yamabushitake, bearded tooth fungus, or bearded hedgehog. In China, it is known as houtougu, meaning "monkey-head mushroom".
Lions mane mushrooms are considered a delicacy in gourmet cooking, with young specimens being the most sought-after. They are also used as a dietary supplement and are available over the counter in various forms, including tablets, capsules, and powders. However, it is important to note that there are currently no guidelines to ensure the safety and efficacy of these products, and more research is needed to confirm their health benefits in humans.
Lions mane mushrooms have been purported to have multiple potential health benefits, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, antihypertensive, antineoplastic, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective properties. They have also been studied for their potential in preventing and treating cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease, and improving mental performance. Additionally, lions mane mushrooms have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis.
In traditional Chinese medicine, lions mane mushrooms are believed to have beneficial effects on the stomach and have been used to treat ulcers. Modern research supports this claim, as studies have shown that extracts from lions mane mushrooms can protect against ulcers in rats and slow the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria linked to stomach ulcers. Furthermore, lions mane mushrooms have been studied for their potential cancer-fighting abilities, as they have been shown to cause cancer cell death and slow tumour growth in test tubes and animal studies. However, it is important to note that these effects have not been tested in humans, and more research is needed to confirm their efficacy.
How Mushrooms Are Digested by the Human Body
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, lion's mane mushrooms grow outside in Kentucky. They are usually found on trees, especially maple, ash, oaks, and eucalyptus.
Lion's mane mushrooms are typically found in late summer and autumn. In Kentucky, they can be found in late September to early November.
Mushrooms can be found in a variety of locations, including open fields and urban backyards, in addition to wooded areas and decomposing logs. Look for trees with wounds or cavities, as lion's mane is often associated with tree wounds and causes a white pocket rot.
Lion's mane mushrooms are large, irregular, bulbous tubercules with dangling spines longer than 1 centimetre (1/2 inch). They can be mistaken for other Hericium species, so it is important to be careful when identifying and consuming wild mushrooms.
Lion's mane mushrooms are edible and choice mushrooms for culinary use. However, it is recommended to exercise caution when consuming wild mushrooms, as not all mushrooms in a batch may be safe to eat.
