Black hedgehog (Phellodon niger) photo and description

Black hedgehog (Phellodon niger)

Hat: a large, massive hat with a diameter of 3-8 cm. As a rule, it has an irregular shape and does not clearly pass into the stem. The fruit body of the fungus grows through forest objects: cones, needles and twigs. Therefore, the shape of each mushroom is unique. Young mushrooms have a bright blue color, slightly lighter at the edges. As it matures, the mushroom acquires a darker grayish tint. By maturity, the mushroom becomes almost black. The surface of the cap is generally velvety and dry, but at the same time, as it develops, it collects various objects around it: pine needles, moss, and so on.

Pulp: the flesh of the cap is woody, corky, very dark, almost black.

Hymenophore: descends along the stem almost to the very ground, spiny. In young mushrooms, the hymenophore is bluish in color, then becomes dark gray, sometimes brownish.

Spore Powder: white color.

Leg: short, thick, without a distinct shape. The stem gradually expands and turns into a hat. The height of the stem is 1-3 cm. The thickness is 1-2 cm. Where the hymenophore ends, the stem is painted black. The flesh of the leg is dense black.

Spread: The Black Hedgehog (Phellodon niger) is quite rare. It grows in mixed and pine forests, forming mycorrhiza with pine forests. It bears fruit in mossy places, approximately from the end of July until October.

Similarity: The hedgehogs of the genus Phellodon are difficult to understand. According to literary sources, the Black Herb has a resemblance to the fused Herb, which is actually fused and thinner and grayer. Phellodon niger can also be mistaken for the blue Gidnellum, but it is much brighter and more elegant, and its hymenophore is also bright blue in color, and the spore powder is, on the contrary, brown. In addition, Black Hedgehog differs from other Hedgehogs in that it grows through objects.

Edibility: The mushroom is not eaten, as it is too hard for humans.