Content
Fellodon fused is a species of hedgehog, which can often be found while walking through the forest. It belongs to the Banker family and bears the official name Phellodon connatus. In the process of development, it germinates through coniferous needles, which is why it has such an unusual shape. Another name is Hericium fused.
What does phellodon look like?
This hedgehog differs from other fellows in a wave-like shape. It is a fruiting body with a centered stalk. When individual specimens are located closely, they are combined into a single whole. However, they can be of different levels, which explains the unusual shape of the appearance.
Description of the hat
Phellodon is characterized by a rounded, outstretched cap with a diameter of 2-4 cm. Its shape is conical, irregular, and a funnel is formed in the center. The main shade is gray-black, which changes as it grows. Young specimens have a white, contrasting edging around the edge. Thickness is moderately thin.
Its lower surface is dotted with short white thorns, which later acquire a gray-purple hue.
Leg description
The leg is black, thin, short. Closer to the hat, it thickens. Its average height ranges from 1-3 cm. The consistency is tight. The transition of the leg to the cap is smooth. The surface is felt, often containing particles of forest litter.
Is the mushroom edible or not
This species belongs to the category of inedible. There is no official information that fellodon is poisonous. But it cannot be used for food, since the pulp of the mushroom is dry and woody.
Where and how does the fused hedgehog grow
It prefers to grow in coniferous and mixed forests, on sandy soil near pine trees. The active period of growth occurs in August and lasts until the end of October.
In Russia, this species can be found in many temperate forests. Moreover, the colder the region, the less often it can be found.
Doubles and their differences
In appearance, the fused phellodon resembles a black hedgehog. But in the latter, the cap is more massive, its diameter is 3-8 cm. The color of the mushroom varies from bright blue to black. The surface is velvety, the pulp is woody. The leg is thickened, short. The black species grows in mossy places, the fruiting period is July-October.
Also, phellodon, which has grown together in appearance, resembles the Finnish hedgehog, which is also inedible. The hat of this species is convex or semi-convex with a smooth surface. The color is brown or red-brown, which becomes lighter towards the edge. The consistency of the pulp is dense, white. The period of active growth occurs at the beginning of autumn.
Conclusion
Phellodon accrete belongs to the category of mushrooms under the general name of the hedgehog. This group includes both edible and inedible species. But, despite this, this species is not suitable for human consumption. Therefore, it is worthwhile to study the description of edible mushrooms in advance in order to avoid mistakes.
