Hericium Erinaceus

One of our most striking and otherworldly forest dwellers, the so-called lion's main grows off injured or recently fallen hardwoods, mostly oak. You can easily distiguish it by its long tendrils, hanging down from a solid rubbery base. The flesh is white to off-white, slightly translucent and rubbery. The base is very strong and difficult to remove from the host without a sharp knife. H. erinaceus is edible but rubbery when very young, a similar texture to octopus or squid. It has a subtle flavor, and after thorough cooking it could make a good substitute for mollusks in some asian dishes, perhaps saut??ed with oyster sauce and shiitake, or cold in a salad with sesame oil and seaweed. This specimen was too old to eat. By the time H. erinaceus starts turning yellow-tan like this one, it has developed an unpleasant sour taste. Eat it young if you can find it, and enjoy its firm chewiness.