Hericium erinaceus (Lion's mane)
Family
Hericiaceae
Location
North America, Europe and Asia
Dimensions
Body 8–16 cm across, spines 1-5 cm long
Edibility
This site contains no information about the edibility or toxicity of mushrooms.
Description
Hericium erinaceus, also known as Lion's mane, is a large mushroom that belongs to the tooth fungus group. It typically grows on cracks or knotholes of living hardwoods, primarily oaks, during late summer and fall.

Fruiting body consists of a single, unbranched cluster of soft spines that are 1–4 cm long. These spines hang from a sturdy, concealed base, which is attached to the tree. In mature specimens, the top of the fruiting body often exhibits shortened spines, giving it a hairy appearance. The spines themselves are initially white but may turn brownish to yellowish as they age. Stem very short if present. Spore print white.

Microscopic Features: The spores are broadly ellipsoidal to subglobose in shape, with a smooth or very slightly roughened surface. They measure approximately 5-6 x 4-5.5µm and are amyloid.

Hericium erinaceus on the MushroomExpert.Com Web site.
Hericium erinaceus on the www.first-nature.com web site.

Many mushrooms are poisonous and some are lethally poisonous. It can be very difficult to distinguish between an edible and a poisonous mushroom. Because of that, we strongly advise against consuming wild mushrooms, and this site does not contain any information about the edibility or toxicity of mushrooms.

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