Scaly Hedgehog Mushroom
Sarcodon squamosus
Edible
★★☆☆☆
Taste rating: 2 out of 5
How to identify it
Cap
The cap is brown to grey-brown with distinct darker scales. It can become large and is often irregularly rounded.
Underside
The underside is covered with dense, downward-pointing spines. The spines are pale at first and darken with age.
Stem
The stem is stout, often short, and brownish to grey-brown. The flesh is firm.
Smell
Mild to slightly mealy or earthy.
Occurrence and habitat
Grows on the ground in coniferous woodland, especially older pine forest and other nutrient-poor forest habitats. Forms mycorrhiza.
Look-alike species
These mushrooms can resemble Scaly Hedgehog Mushroom. Look closely at features, habitat and images to see the differences.

Scaly hedgehog mushroom
Sarcodon imbricatus
★★★★★
Weak flavor
The species are very similar and are distinguished by the character of the scales, colour, ecology and other microscopic and macroscopic details.
Read more about Scaly hedgehog mushroom ›Preparation
Use mainly young specimens. Remove soil and forest debris and cut away hard parts. Fry thoroughly; older specimens can become tough and less suitable as food.
Recipe suggestions
Fried Scaly Hedgehog Mushroom: slice young specimens and fry in butter until browned. Season with salt, pepper and thyme.
Images – study the mushroom from several angles
Click an image to display it as the main image.

⚠ Important safety information
Eat only reliably identified specimens. Hedgehog mushrooms can be difficult to distinguish and older specimens may become tough.
Eat only reliably identified specimens. Hedgehog mushrooms can be difficult to distinguish and older specimens may become tough.
Facts and sources
Sources
Svampguiden; SLU Artdatabanken/Artfakta.
Svampguiden; SLU Artdatabanken/Artfakta.
Batch 11 supplemented – should be finally checked against current