Antennae hericum (Antennae Creolophus): photo and description

Name:Hericium's antennae
Latin name:Hericium cirrhatum
A type: Edible
Synonyms:Antennae Creolophus, Curly Hericium, Common Hericium, Creolophus Cirrhatus
Systematics:
  • Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
  • Subdivision: Agaricomycotina
  • Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
  • Subclass: Incertae sedis (undefined)
  • Order: Russulales
  • Family: Hericiaceae
  • Genus: Hericium (Gericium)
  • Species: Hericium cirrhatum

Antennae hericum (Creolophus cirrhatus) is a representative of the Hedgehog family, the Creolophus genus, distinguished by its original shape and peculiar beauty. Another name is Creolophus antennae. Outwardly, it resembles a blossoming flower, consisting of several original twisting fruiting bodies.

Its fruiting body does not at all resemble an ordinary mushroom, which is the main "highlight" of the barbel's mane

Description of the barbel hedgehog

Antennae hericum is a multi-tiered, fan-shaped, fleshy mushroom. The upper part is felt. On its lower surface there are numerous long hanging spines (whiskers) of a conical shape. Their color at the beginning is white, then it becomes yellowish. In height, the fruit body grows up to 15 cm, in diameter up to 10-20 cm.

Shape - hemispherical, flesh color - white or pink

Description of the hat

The hat is round, fan-shaped, irregular in shape. Sedentary, convoluted, curling up, laterally accreted. Sometimes it is lingual, tapering to the base, with a lowered or tucked edge. The surface of the cap is hard and rough to the touch. Covered with pressed and ingrown pile. It is always painted in one color.

At a young age, the mushroom is rather light, later the wrapped edge acquires a reddish tint.

Leg description

As such, the peduncle of the antennal creolophus is absent. The mushroom is attached to the wood with the edge of the cap.

Collecting mushrooms is not very easy, as they often grow on tree trunks quite high

Where and how it grows

Barbel hedgehog grows in mixed plantings. It is ubiquitous in the European part of Russia, Siberia and the Far East. It grows mainly in tiers on tree trunks and stumps. Prefers moist areas of the forest.

Sometimes on the same tree several fruit bodies grow at once, intertwining into one inflorescence, similar to a bouquet. They are quite rare on the ground cover. Bears fruit in the autumn. Sometimes the mushroom season begins at the end of summer.

Attention! Barbel's Hericium is listed in the Red Book as a rare, endangered species, so it is not recommended to collect it.

Is the mushroom edible or not

Belongs to edible mushrooms of 3-4 category. The highest palatability is observed at a young age. The flesh of the old mushroom becomes tough (corky) and tasteless. It is a low-calorie product, 100 g contains no more than 22 kcal.

Comment! Antennaeus has a large number of useful properties and is widely used to enhance immunity and improve the functioning of the respiratory system.

It is also used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, in particular for the prevention of cancer.

Doubles and their differences

The barbel has no resemblance to ordinary mushrooms. Sometimes mushroom pickers can confuse it with the inedible northern climacodon. Distinctive features are:

  • the correct shape of the fruiting body;
  • spines and growths in the lower part have a cantilever shape.

Comment! Antennal creolophus is not similar to poisonous varieties, which makes it safe to collect.

Conclusion

Antennae hericum is an original mushroom without a cap and a leg, thereby differing from ordinary similar representatives. It is not only delicious, but also very healthy. It is used as an antineoplastic agent. It is a rather rare species, so it is often grown under artificial conditions.

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