Our second cauliflower of the season and where did we find it – in the Garden of the Chanterelles, where we found no, say it with us, no freaking chanterelles.

This little cutie-pie lifted McDowell out of her depression of spending an afternoon hiking up to the Garden and not seeing one chanterelle. Balfour was not amused. But back to the story: Right along the path was sitting this lovely cauliflower mushroom and McDowell scooped it and smiled for the rest of the day even through the buckets of rain.

What a lovely gift. Our second of the season.

And a shot with McDowell’s finger in so you get an idea of the baby.

About the Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis radicata)

Sparassis (also known as cauliflower mushroom) is a genus of parasitic and saprobic mushrooms characterised by their unique shape and appearance. This appearance can be described as similar to a sea sponge, a brain, or a head of cauliflower, from which it has been given its popular name.

They are increasingly cultivated and being sold in Korea, Japan, USA and Australia.

The generic name comes from the Greek sparassein meaning to tear.

The best-known and most widely collected species of Sparassis are S. crispa (found in Europe and eastern North America) and S. radicata (found in western North America). These species have a very similar appearance and some authorities treat them as conspecific. Their color can range from light brown-yellow to yellow-grey or a creamy white cauliflower colour. They are normally 10 to 25 cm tall, but can grow to be quite large, with reported cases of fruiting bodies more than half a meter tall and 14 kg in weight. Because of their unique look and size, they are unlikely to be mistaken for any poisonous/inedible mushrooms. They grow as parasites or saprobes on the roots or bases of various species of hardwoods, especially oak, and conifers, and hence are most commonly found growing close to fir, pine, oak or spruce trees.

More information: Sparassis: Wikipedia

This gorgeous young cauliflower was found in lower Roberts Creek, Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada.

Once again Balfour pulls a cauliflower out of a hat. Late in the season after we’d been looking for them everywhere, dreaming about them, hearing about them, Balfour finds this lovely waterfall of cauliflower. And true to form, Balfour finds and McDowell eats. McDowell loves the texture and the subtle taste.

Small, delicate and delicious. A real find late in fall mushroom season on the Sunshine Coast.

About the Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis radicata)

Sparassis (also known as cauliflower mushroom) is a genus of parasitic and saprobic mushrooms characterised by their unique shape and appearance. This appearance can be described as similar to a sea sponge, a brain, or a head of cauliflower, from which it has been given its popular name.

They are increasingly cultivated and being sold in Korea, Japan, USA and Australia.

The generic name comes from the Greek sparassein meaning to tear.

The best-known and most widely collected species of Sparassis are S. crispa (found in Europe and eastern North America) and S. radicata (found in western North America). These species have a very similar appearance and some authorities treat them as conspecific. Their color can range from light brown-yellow to yellow-grey or a creamy white cauliflower colour. They are normally 10 to 25 cm tall, but can grow to be quite large, with reported cases of fruiting bodies more than half a meter tall and 14 kg in weight. Because of their unique look and size, they are unlikely to be mistaken for any poisonous/inedible mushrooms. They grow as parasites or saprobes on the roots or bases of various species of hardwoods, especially oak, and conifers, and hence are most commonly found growing close to fir, pine, oak or spruce trees.

More information: Sparassis: Wikipedia

This large cauliflower was found in Sprockids Bike Park, Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada.

Balfour again makes a big find after a session of gathering chanterelles in Sprockids. This lovely cauliflower was growing on top of a stump alongside one of the trails. McDowell sectioned it off, cleaned all the forest needles and dirt from it and had friends over for tastings.

About the Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis radicata)

Sparassis (also known as cauliflower mushroom) is a genus of parasitic and saprobic mushrooms characterised by their unique shape and appearance. This appearance can be described as similar to a sea sponge, a brain, or a head of cauliflower, from which it has been given its popular name.

They are increasingly cultivated and being sold in Korea, Japan, USA and Australia.

The generic name comes from the Greek sparassein meaning to tear.

The best-known and most widely collected species of Sparassis are S. crispa (found in Europe and eastern North America) and S. radicata (found in western North America). These species have a very similar appearance and some authorities treat them as conspecific. Their color can range from light brown-yellow to yellow-grey or a creamy white cauliflower colour. They are normally 10 to 25 cm tall, but can grow to be quite large, with reported cases of fruiting bodies more than half a meter tall and 14 kg in weight. Because of their unique look and size, they are unlikely to be mistaken for any poisonous/inedible mushrooms. They grow as parasites or saprobes on the roots or bases of various species of hardwoods, especially oak, and conifers, and hence are most commonly found growing close to fir, pine, oak or spruce trees.

More information: Sparassis: Wikipedia