Cauliflower fungus

Cauliflower fungus (Sparassis crispa) by Anna Ratkevich. Ink and watercolour on paper
Latin name
Sparassis crispa
Materials
Ink and watercolour on paper

An edible mushroom that is also used in traditional medicine in several Asian countries. Scientists continue to study its natural compounds.

Where does it live?

Usually grows at the base of pine trees or on old tree roots.

Where the spores form

Smooth. Spores develop on a fairly smooth spore-bearing surface. Some fungi in this group have very shallow wrinkles or folds, barely visible.

Did you know?

Its many curly branches look just like the head of a cauliflower. A single mushroom can grow surprisingly large and sometimes weighs several kilograms.