Aborted Entoloma

entoloma abortivum

The Aborted Entoloma is a unique mushroom that can look like a little ball of dough! It grows in forests and can surprise you with its unusual shape.

Habitat: It lives in shady, moist areas in forests, often near decaying leaves.

Appearance

The Aborted Entoloma is an irregular, lumpy mass, often whitish to grayish-brown, with a brain-like or cauliflower texture. It lacks a distinct cap, stem, or gills, making it visually unique compared to most other fungi.

KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderAgaricalesFamilyEntolomataceaeGenusEntoloma

Photo: This image was created by user Dan Molter (shroomydan) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You can contact this user herCC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Aborted Entoloma

Interesting facts

It's actually two fungi tangled together to create one strange blob!

Scientists still debate which mushroom starts the 'blob' transformation!

Some people say this strange mushroom smells like fresh cucumbers!

You can only find these lumpy blobs in autumn forests!

Special abilities

Aborted Entoloma can prevent other fungi from forming normal mushrooms because of a parasitic interaction.

This fungus has natural compounds that can fight off bacteria, helping protect its forest resources.

Measurements & details

Height: 3-12 cm
Edible: edible
Growth Substrate: wood
Season: Fall
Spore Color: Pinkish

Ecological connections

Parasitizes

Honey mushroom

Armillaria mellea

Prevents its host from growing into a normal mushroom.

Depends on

Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum

Often found in hardwood forests, utilizing decaying maple wood.

Depends on

White Oak

Quercus alba

Frequently grows in association with oak tree litter and decaying wood.

Traits

Decomposer

Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Also known as

EntolomaFungal DoughMushroom Ball

Collections

Fungi

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Always ask an adult before touching or picking mushrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Aborted Entoloma?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Aborted Entoloma?

3-12 cm

Is Aborted Entoloma edible?

edible

Where is Aborted Entoloma usually found?

It lives in shady, moist areas in forests, often near decaying leaves.

What does Aborted Entoloma grow on?

wood

When is Aborted Entoloma in season?

Fall

What color are Aborted Entoloma spores?

Pinkish