Nordic mushrooms – get to know the species
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Scaly Hedgehog Mushroom

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
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.

Facts and sources

Sources
Svampguiden; SLU Artdatabanken/Artfakta.
Batch 11 supplemented – should be finally checked against current