# Hedgehog Mushroom (*Hydnum*)

Hedgehog Mushrooms have a spiky underside and a sweet flavor. They are often found in the woods and are loved by many chefs!

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Wooded areas
- **Also known as:** Sweet Tooth, Wood Hedgehog

![Hedgehog Mushroom](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425895/objects/5096.jpg)

## Appearance

The Hedgehog Mushroom has an irregularly shaped, often wavy cap that is typically off-white to orange-tan. Its most distinctive feature is the underside, which is covered in soft, brittle, tooth-like spines instead of gills, resembling a hedgehog's prickles.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes
- **Order:** Cantharellales
- **Family:** Hydnaceae
- **Genus:** Hydnum

## Interesting facts

- Its scientific name, Hydnum repandum, means 'bent back' because its cap often curls!
- This mushroom is a cousin to the famous Chanterelle mushroom, sharing a firm texture.
- Unlike most mushrooms, it has no gills or pores, making it very unique!
- You can find it growing alone or in small groups on the forest floor!

## Special abilities

- **Spore Spikes:** Hedgehog Mushroom has tooth-like spines on its underside that help them drop spores efficiently, even when growing at an angle.
- **Forest Friend:** Hedgehog Mushroom can share nutrients with trees through its roots because of a special symbiotic relationship, helping both thrive.
- **Flavor Protector:** Hedgehog Mushroom has a slightly peppery taste, which can deter some pests from eating it completely.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 4-10 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Size:** 5-15 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** soil
- **Season:** Late summer to late autumn
- **Spore Color:** White

## Ecological connections

- **Symbiotic with:** oak tree (*Quercus robur*) — Forms a mutually beneficial mycorrhizal relationship.
- **Symbiotic with:** beech tree (*Fagus sylvatica*) — Exchanges nutrients with its root system.
- **Symbiotic with:** [Scots pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scots-pine) (*Pinus sylvestris*) — Benefits from a nutrient exchange partnership.
- **Eaten by:** [leopard slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — Slugs often graze on these mushrooms.

## Traits

- [Spore Producing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spore-producing): Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
- [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:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Hedgehog Mushroom?

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 Hedgehog Mushroom?

4-10 cm

### Is Hedgehog Mushroom edible?

edible

### How big is Hedgehog Mushroom?

5-15 cm

### Where is Hedgehog Mushroom usually found?

Wooded areas

### What does Hedgehog Mushroom grow on?

soil

### When is Hedgehog Mushroom in season?

Late summer to late autumn

### What color are Hedgehog Mushroom spores?

White

## 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: [Hedgehog Mushroom: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hedgehog-mushroom)