Page 271 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods
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Scaly Hedgehog, Sarcodon

                imbricatus (BANKERACEAE)











































        SCALY HEDGEHOG is widely distributed across tem-        EDIBLE PARTS: young caps and stems
        perate North America. Growing on the ground under       KEY MEDICINAL USES: Constituents of this species
        conifers,  it  occurs singly,  in  groups,  or fairy rings.   have been shown to promote bone marrow health and
        These mushrooms typically fruit from late spring to     reduce fatigue.
        fall, though in California they may appear in midwin-
                                                                HOW TO EAT: The quality of scaly hedgehogs tends
        ter.
                                                                to vary. Some specimens are mild-tasting and suitable
        CAP: The cap is 2-10 inches (5-25cm) with a convex      for most mushroom recipes. Others are irredeemably
        or flat outline. Occasionally, it develops a perforated   bitter.  People  seem to have better luck  with  young
        central depression. Its dry exterior is patterned with   mushrooms.
        coarse, uplifted scales. These are dark brown to al-
                                                                MARINATED HEDGEHOGS: Ingredients: 1 lb. (500g)
        most black, while the surface beneath is dull brown.
                                                                mushrooms, ¼ cup olive oil, ¼ cup white wine vinegar,
        The margin begins inrolled, becoming decurved and
                                                                ¼ diced onion, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tsp. brown
        occasionally wavy or lobed. The firm, brittle flesh is
                                                                sugar,  ½ tsp.  oregano,  ½ tsp.  peppercorns, ¼  tsp.
        whitish or pale brownish. It has a mild to bitter taste.
                                                                chili flakes, 1 bay leaf, salt, parsley. Boil mushrooms
        SPINES: The undersurface is decurrent and covered       in salted water (3-4 min.). In a bowl combine drained
        with spines of 0.2-0.6 inches (5-15mm) long. These      mushrooms  with remaining ingredients.  Scoop into
        begin dull brown, darkening in age.                     sealable jars and refrigerate.

        STEM: The stem is 1.5-4 inches (4-10cm) tall, 0.5-1.4   WARNING: Scaly hedgehogs cause indigestion in
        inches (1.5-3.5cm) wide, and equal or thicker at the    some people.
        base. Beginning solid, its top becomes hollow in ma-
                                                                INEDIBLE LOOK-ALIKES: Sarcodon scabrosus - stalk
        turity. The stem’s brown exterior is smooth to fibril-
                                                                base is olive-black; cap is less scaly; scales usually not
        lose.
                                                                raised; extremely bitter flesh. Cap tissue stains black
        SPORES: 6-8 x  5-7 µ, subglobose, strongly warted;      in KOH.
        Spore print: brown
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