Mushrooms occurring in Europe - Sarcodon imbricatus

Sarcodon imbricatus - Hat 60 to 250 mm in diameter, gray - brown to red - brown, black - brown, initially flattering, later recessed in the middle, first with a curled edge, flat, angled, thick - brown, brown to gray - brown covered with large concentric cones arranged in thick brown scales (resembling plumage) birds of prey), the funnel-shaped concave.

Spines are fragile, dense, long, often more than 10 mm long. First, short and whitish, later gray, gray-brown to brown, converging on the stipe.

Stem 30-60 mm high, 10-35 mm thick, smooth, full, cylindrical to clavate, at the base thickened, white-gray, gray-brown, brown, with age tubular, velvety.

Flesh first white, then pale-gray-brown, hard, elastic, woody core in the base. A spicy scent, a mild to bitter taste.

Occurrence: In coniferous spruce forests. It grows in groups, sometimes gregariously. Rare, in some areas more frequent (eg in the mountains). From August to November.

Value: Mushroom young edible, slightly bitter, especially older fruiting bodies. Used often as a condiment in the powdered state. Some react badly after eating it. Raw can be harmful.