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Eastern cauliflower mushroom

Sparassis americana

A species of Cauliflower mushroom, Also known as American cauliflower mushroom

Eastern cauliflower mushroom is a saprobic mushroom that grows on deeply buried rotting roots and can reoccur in the same place for years until the root becomes disturbed. It is named 'cauliflower mushroom' because it resembles a cauliflower (or brain!).

Cap Diameter:

9 - 25 cm

Odor:

Mild, typical mushroom scent.

General Info About Eastern cauliflower mushroom

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Attributes of Eastern cauliflower mushroom

Cap Diameter

9 - 25 cm

Height

10 - 30 cm

Cap

9 - 25 cm across; composed of tightly packed; whitish to yellowish or brownish; bald

Flesh

Whitish; unchanging when sliced

Spore Print Color

White to cream

Odor

Mild, typical mushroom scent.

Body Color

Brown

Yellow

White

Growth Form

Scattered, Gregarious

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic, Parasitic

Substrate

Wood of Living Trees, Leaf or Needle Litter, On soil

You can find Eastern cauliflower mushroom by these plants:

Spruces

Occurence Habitats

Coniferous Woodland

Species Status

Fairly widely distributed in North America east of the Great Plains.

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Habitat of Eastern cauliflower mushroom

Eastern cauliflower mushroom is typically found growing from the roots or bases of trees, particularly under pines with bundled needles.

Scientific Classification of Eastern cauliflower mushroom

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Shelf fungi

Family

Sparassidaceae

Genus

Cauliflower mushroom

Similar Species to Eastern cauliflower mushroom

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Tips for Finding Eastern cauliflower mushroom

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What are the Ideal Soil Conditions for Eastern cauliflower mushroom

Associated with tree roots, exact soil conditions unspecified.

What are Some Tips for Finding Eastern cauliflower mushroom

Focus on areas with pine trees, especially those with bundled needles.
Inspect the bases and surrounding ground near the root systems of pine trees.
Notice if the area has had eastern cauliflower mushroom before, as they may recur in the same spot annually.
Check for a brown or butt rot at the tree base, which may indicate the presence of eastern cauliflower mushroom.

How to Clean and Preserve Eastern cauliflower mushroom

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Common Questions People Also Ask

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