# 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.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** It lives in shady, moist areas in forests, often near decaying leaves.
- **Also known as:** Entoloma, Fungal Dough, Mushroom Ball

![Aborted Entoloma](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Armillaria_gallica_57535.jpg&width=800)

Photo: This image was created by user Dan Molter (shroomydan) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You can contact this user her, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Armillaria_gallica_57535.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes
- **Order:** Agaricales
- **Family:** Entolomataceae
- **Genus:** 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

- **Mushroom Melder:** Aborted Entoloma can prevent other fungi from forming normal mushrooms because of a parasitic interaction.
- **Germ Guardian:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/honey-mushroom) (*Armillaria mellea*) — Prevents its host from growing into a normal mushroom.
- **Depends on:** [Sugar Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sugar-maple) (*Acer saccharum*) — Often found in hardwood forests, utilizing decaying maple wood.
- **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Frequently grows in association with oak tree litter and decaying wood.

## Traits

- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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

## Where to spot

- [Garnchayne Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garnchayne-park) — Virginia, US · Park

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Aborted Entoloma: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aborted-entoloma)