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Antennae hedgehog (Creolophus cirrhatus) is a representative of the Hedgehog family, the genus Creolophos, which is distinguished by its original shape and peculiar beauty. Another name is Creolofus antennae. Outwardly, it resembles a blossoming flower, consisting of several original twisting fruiting bodies.
Its fruiting body does not look like an ordinary mushroom at all, which is the main “highlight” of the antennal blackberry
Description of the barnacle hedgehog
Antennae is a multi-tiered, fan-shaped, fleshy mushroom. The upper part is felt. On its lower surface there are numerous long hanging spikes (whiskers) of a conical shape. Their color at the beginning is white, then becomes yellowish. In height, the fruiting body grows up to 15 cm, in diameter up to 10-20 cm.
Shape – hemispherical, flesh color – white or pink
Cap Description
The hat is round, fan-shaped, irregular in shape. Sedentary, twisted, wrapped, adherent with the side. Sometimes it is lingual, tapering to the base, with a lowered or tucked edge. The surface of the cap is hard, rough to the touch. Covered with pressed and ingrown pile. It is always dyed the same color.
At a young age, the mushroom is quite light, later the wrapped edge acquires a reddish tint.
Description of the leg
As such, the peduncle is absent in Creolofus antennidus. The mushroom is attached to the wood with the edge of the cap.
Collecting mushrooms is not very easy, as they often grow quite high on tree trunks.
Where and how to grow
Anteneral blackberry grows in mixed plantations. It is found everywhere in the European part of Our Country, in Siberia and the Far East. It grows mainly in tiers on tree trunks and stumps. Prefers wet areas of the forest.
Sometimes several fruiting bodies grow on one tree at once, intertwined into one inflorescence, similar to a bouquet. On the ground cover are quite rare. Fruiting in autumn. Sometimes the mushroom season starts already at the end of summer.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Belongs to edible mushrooms of 3-4 categories. The highest taste qualities are observed at a young age. The pulp of the old fungus becomes hard (corky) and tasteless. It is a low-calorie product, 100 g contains no more than 22 kcal.
It is also used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, in particular for the prevention of cancer.
Twins and their differences
With ordinary mushrooms, the hedgehog has no resemblance. Sometimes mushroom pickers can confuse it with the inedible northern climacodon. The distinguishing features are:
- the correct shape of the fruiting body;
- spikes and splices in the lower part have a cantilever shape.
Conclusion
Antennae hedgehog is an original mushroom without a cap and a leg, thereby differing from ordinary similar representatives. It is not only tasty, but also very healthy. It is used as an antitumor agent. It is a rather rare species, therefore it is often grown in artificially created conditions.