Hedgehog Mushrooms

Hydnum

These delicious cap and stem mushrooms have spines, also called teeth, where gills might otherwise be. These structures look like hundreds of tiny icicles hanging from the underside of the cap. Hedgehogs grow fall through winter in the moss or duff that gathers under conifer trees. They typically share the same habitat as Chanterelles, but grow a few weeks later in the year.

Alan Rockefeller

Cap

Creamy to orange tan in color and matte in appearance

Teeth

spines or teeth where gills would otherwise be, same or lighter than cap color

Stem

a lighter shade of cap color

Spore Print

white or cream colored

Companions

Conifers like Fir or Hemlock

Seasons

Autumn through early Winter

Hedgehog Identification Checklist:

1. Cap is creamy white to orangey tan

2. Cap is free of scales or hairs

3. Cap is typically palm-sized or smaller

4. Spines do not run down the stem

Compare Hedgehogs to Look-Alikes:

Photo by: Alan Rockefeller

Hydnum oregonense

Depressed Hedgehog

Spines: cream white, stop abruptly at stem

Cap: cream to orangey tan w/ dimple

Spore Print: white or cream

Edibility: Delicious!

Photo by: Dick Culbert

Hydnellum fuscoindicus

Violet Hedgehog

Spines: stop near top of stem

Cap: blue/purple to grey/black

Spore Print: brown

Edibility: not recommended

Photo by: Dick Culbert

Hydnellum scabrosum

Bitter Tooth

Spines: yellow brown

Cap: pinkish brown with darker brown scales

Spore Print: brown

Edibility: inedible

Photo by: Dick Culbert

Hydnum umbilicatum

Depressed Hedgehog

Spines: creamy white, stop abruptly at stem

Cap: cream to orangey tan w/ dimple

Spore Print: white or cream

Edibility: Delicious!

Photo by: natureluvr01

Sarcodon stereosarcinon

Spines: tips are paler than base

Cap: light to dark reddish brown

Spore Print: brown

Edibility: not recommended

Photo by: Tatiana

Sarcodon squamosus

Scaly Tooth

Spines: white to tan, darkening with age

Cap: tan turning brown/purple with age

Spore Print: brown

Edibility: edible but bitter

Photo by: Dick Culbert

Hydnum repandum

American or Sweet Tooth Hedgehog

Spines: creamy white, stop near top of stem

Cap: cream to orangey tan w/ dimple

Spore Print: white or cream

Edibility: Delicious!

Photo by: pynklynx

Sarcodon imbricatus

Scaley Hedgehog

Spines: greyish and brittle

Cap: brown with darker brown scales

Spore Print: brown

Edibility: edible but bitter

Photo by: Terry Trottier (terrytrot)

Bankera violascens

Spines: pale grey to pink

Cap: pale pink/purple/grey, darkening with age

Spore Print: white

Edibility: not recommended