Hydnum rufescens

Terracotta Hedgehog
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Cantharellales
Family:	Hydnaceae
Genus:	Hydnum
Species:	H. rufescens
Binomial name
Hydnum rufescens Pers. (1800)

Hydnum rufescens, commonly known as the terracotta hedgehog, is an edible basidiomycete of the family Hydnaceae. It belongs to the small group of mushrooms often referred to as the tooth fungi, which produce fruit bodies whose cap undersurfaces are covered by hymenophores resembling spines or teeth, and not pores or gills.

It is very similar to the commoner hedgehog fungus (Hydnum repandum), and is sometimes considered a variety of that species. However, the following differences have been noted:^[1][2]

• the cap of H. rufescens is russet rather than beige,
• the overall dimensions are smaller and more regular in shape, with a central stipe,
• the spines are not decurrent, and
• the spores are slightly larger.

Both species are found in European coniferous and deciduous forests growing on soil. It is reportedly ectomycorrhizal with Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur.^[3]

References

1. Roger Phillips: Mushrooms and other fungi of Great Britain & Europe (1981), Pan Books Ltd, London.
2. Courtecuisse, R. & Duhem, B. (1994) "Guide des champignons de France et d'Europe" Delachaux et Niestlé ISBN 2-603-00953-2, also available in English.
3. "Hydnum rufescens". The Ecology of Commanster. Retrieved September 1, 2008.

• Hydnum rufescens at Northern Ireland Fungus Group URL accessed 11 June 2007