Emily Johnson
Hedgehog mushrooms are considered one of the easiest wild mushrooms to identify and forage. They are edible, with a nutty, sweet, or peppery flavour, and a firm texture. They are also known as tooth fungi because of the teeth or spines on the underside of their caps, which resemble the spines on the back of a hedgehog. Their caps are usually creamy white, tan, orange, or brown, and they have a white spore print. They grow in small clusters or veins in the ground, under old decaying logs, and are rarely larger than 6-8″ in diameter. They are found in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and their season starts in mid-July, lasting through the summer and into the fall.
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What You'll Learn
Look for the spines/teeth on the underside of the cap
The hedgehog mushroom gets its name from the spines, or "teeth", that hang from the underside of its cap, resembling the spines on the back of a hedgehog. These teeth can also be described as hundreds of tiny, uniform stalactites. This is one of the key identifiers of the mushroom, although there are other fungi that have similar teeth that are not edible.
The teeth of the hedgehog mushroom are short and brittle, like tiny icicles, and are cream-coloured. The caps are generally creamy white, tan, light orange, deep orange, or peachy, and may have a belly-button-shaped indent. The caps may also have some cracking, and can be thick and dense, or thin. The stems can be solid or hollow, and are white to creamy in colour.
The hedgehog mushroom is also sometimes called the "sweet tooth" mushroom, and is one of the easiest wild mushrooms to identify and harvest. It has a nutty, sweet flavour, and a firm texture. It grows in small clusters or veins from the ground, often under old decaying logs, and can be found in both deciduous and coniferous forests.
It's important to note that while the hedgehog mushroom itself is edible, there are several look-alikes that can be harmful or even deadly. These include the false hedgehog, which has a white, pithy core instead of the solid flesh of the hedgehog mushroom, and the toothed jelly fungus, which has a slimy texture and can cause digestive issues for some people.
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Identify the colour of the cap
Hedgehog mushrooms are easiest to identify by their cap colour, size, and the presence of spines instead of gills. The caps are generally creamy white, tan, light orange, deep orange, or reddish brown. Younger hedgehog mushrooms have inward-rolled cap margins that become convex or concave with maturity. The caps may also have a belly-button-shaped indent, which is common in a couple of Hydnum species. The caps are round or irregularly round, and the edges are wavy or rolled inwards.
The caps of hedgehog mushrooms can also be pinkish-tan, buff, salmon pink, brown, or peach-orange in colour. Their flesh bruises darker after a short time, and they have a mildly sweet smell. The caps may develop fissures and cracks as the mushroom ages, particularly in large specimens.
Hedgehog mushrooms can be differentiated from false hedgehog mushrooms, which have a white, pithy core when cut open, instead of the solid flesh of a true hedgehog mushroom. Black tooth fungi can also be differentiated from hedgehog mushrooms by their very dark caps, which are deep brown to black, and their very short to non-existent stems.
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Check the shape of the stem
The shape of the stem is an important factor in identifying hedgehog mushrooms. While hedgehog mushrooms are generally small, rarely growing larger than 6-8" in diameter, the stem can sometimes be relatively thick and dense. Depending on the species, hedgehog mushroom stems can be solid or hollow. For example, the Hydnum umbilicatum species from Oregon has a hollow stem, while the Hydnum repandum species found in the Midwest tends to have a solid stem.
The colour of the stem can also vary among the different species of hedgehog mushrooms. Typically, the stems are a white to creamy colour, and they may be a slightly lighter shade of peach than the cap. However, some species may have greyish green colouring at the base of the stem, such as young specimens of the Bitter Tooth or Bitter Hedgehog (Hydnum scabrosum or Sarcodon scabrosus).
It is important to note that hedgehog mushrooms do not grow on trees. Therefore, if you come across mushrooms with light-coloured spines and brittle flesh growing on trees, they are not hedgehog mushrooms.
In addition to the shape and colour of the stem, it is also crucial to consider other identifying characteristics of hedgehog mushrooms. These include the presence of teeth or spines on the underside of the cap, the cap colour, size, and texture, as well as the overall shape and size of the mushroom.
By examining the shape and colour of the stem, along with other distinguishing features, you can more accurately identify hedgehog mushrooms in the wild.
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Know the typical habitat
Hedgehog mushrooms are widespread and can be found in Australia, Europe, northern Asia, and North America. They are usually not hard to spot due to their colour. They are ground dwellers and tend to grow in temperate, northern zones. Hedgehog mushrooms are often found in forests, with a preference for conifer-heavy locations. They are mycorrhizal, meaning they develop symbiotic relationships with trees. They can be found in mixed forests, as well as conifer-only forests. They grow in rings or arcs around host trees in most types of mixed woodland. They are often found under conifers and hardwoods such as spruce, birch, beech, and oak.
In terms of specific locations, hedgehog mushrooms can be found in fir tree forests, open areas, thick leafy areas, and even on mossy ground. They are not picky about their growing conditions, but they do seem to prefer more temperate, northern zones. They can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests to fields and meadows. Hedgehog mushrooms are often found near other types of mushrooms, such as chanterelles and porcini.
The specific species of hedgehog mushroom can also determine its preferred habitat. For example, the white hedgehog (Hydnum albidum) and the giant hedgehog (H. albomagnum) are North American lookalikes of the European species H. repandum. The terracotta hedgehog (Hydnum rufescens) and the depressed hedgehog (Hydnum umbilicatum) are also similar species that may have slightly different habitat preferences.
It is important to note that while hedgehog mushrooms are widespread and easy to identify, it is crucial to practice sustainable foraging techniques. This includes leaving some mushrooms behind, cutting them properly, and being respectful of the environment to ensure the continued presence of these fungi for future foragers.
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Do a taste test
Taste is a great way to identify hedgehog mushrooms. While they are not poisonous, some may be bitter, so it is always good to do a nibble test.
Hedgehog mushrooms have a sweet, earthy, nutty taste, with a slightly peppery aftertaste. Some people liken the taste to that of golden chanterelles, but without the fruity, apricot aroma. Instead, they have a more meaty, savoury taste. They are denser than chanterelles, with a firm, crunchy texture that is slightly chewy when cooked.
If you are going to try a hedgehog mushroom, it is best to cook it first. You can eat the whole fruit body, including the cap, stem, and spines. Try sautéing the mushrooms in butter with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also add some onion and garlic powder.
Hedgehog mushrooms are most often consumed for their nutritional benefits. They are low in fat and high in protein, with high levels of dietary minerals, especially copper, iron, and manganese.
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Frequently asked questions
Hedgehog mushrooms get their name from the spines or "teeth" that hang from the underside of the cap, resembling the spines on the back of a hedgehog. They are generally small, rarely getting larger than 6-8″ in diameter. Caps are creamy white, tan, lightly orange, or deep orange, and may form fissures as the mushroom ages. The stems are white to creamy and can be solid or hollow.
While hedgehog mushrooms are easy to identify and don't have any toxic look-alikes, there are several similar-looking species that can be harmful or even deadly. False hedgehog mushrooms, for example, have spines on the underside of the cap, but when you cut into them, they reveal a white, pithy core instead of the solid flesh of a hedgehog mushroom. Toothed jelly fungus, also known as the "pinecone mushroom", has an orange or yellowish colour and a slimy texture. Black tooth fungus has very dark caps and very short to non-existent stems.
All hedgehog mushrooms are edible and non-toxic. However, some may be bitter and unpleasant to eat. You can do a simple field test by biting off a tiny piece of the cap and letting it sit on your tongue. Spit the piece out and do not consume raw mushrooms, even if they are not bitter.
