So McDowell met Balfour for a foraging session. She’s been renovating her cabin so missed the day before. And what does Balfour surprise her with but teeth. No! McDowell cried. Yes! Balfour answered. Hedgehogs in August. What??

And then we started the day’s foraging, walking and talking. Beautiful chanterelles here and there: robust and dry.

And then Balfour came upon the hedgies. We both stood in awe. Even the dogs stopped to gather around. Yes there was much happiness on Mount Elphinstone in that little glen of moss. We love hedgehogs.

In 2016 we found hedgehogs on July 30. So while not the earliest ever, certainly the earliest bestest so far.

Look at this perfect beauty. White teeth, carmel cap and strong stalk. Who could ask for anything more?

Check out that stalk. Oh baby what a find.

And that’s what we found on a sunny August afternoon on Mount Elphie in Roberts Creek.

 

About the Hedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum repandum)

Hydnum repandum, commonly known as the hedgehog or sweet tooth mushroom, is an edible mushroom with no poisonous lookalikes. A basidiomycete fungus of the family Hydnaceae, it is the type species of the genus Hydnum. The fungus produces fruit bodies(mushrooms) that are characterized by their spore-bearing structures—in the form of spines rather than gills—which hang down from the underside of the cap. The cap is dry, colored yellow to light orange to brown, and often develops an irregular shape, especially when it has grown closely crowded with adjacent fruit bodies. The mushroom tissue is white with a pleasant odor and a spicy or bitter taste. All parts of the mushroom stain orange with age or when bruised.

A mycorrhizal fungus, Hydnum repandum is broadly distributed in Asia, Australia, North America and Europe where it fruits singly or in close groups in coniferous or deciduous woodland. This is a choice edible species, although mature specimens can develop a bitter taste. Mushrooms are collected and sold in local markets of Europe, Mexico, and Canada.

More information: Hydnum repandum: Wikipedia

Hot dry forest, middle of summer and what do we see – what the fruitcake – hedgehogs???

What’s the meaning of hedgies mid-summer? Well, you might as well ask what is the meaning of life. Just one big mystery that we’re happy to be a part of!

And we don’t even have to mention the joy on McDowell’s face to find mushrooms with teeth.

Hedgehog dreaming. Happy McDowell. Thank you Balfour.

 

About the Hedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum repandum)

Hydnum repandum, commonly known as the hedgehog or sweet tooth mushroom, is an edible mushroom with no poisonous lookalikes. A basidiomycete fungus of the family Hydnaceae, it is the type species of the genus Hydnum. The fungus produces fruit bodies(mushrooms) that are characterized by their spore-bearing structures—in the form of spines rather than gills—which hang down from the underside of the cap. The cap is dry, colored yellow to light orange to brown, and often develops an irregular shape, especially when it has grown closely crowded with adjacent fruit bodies. The mushroom tissue is white with a pleasant odor and a spicy or bitter taste. All parts of the mushroom stain orange with age or when bruised.

A mycorrhizal fungus, Hydnum repandum is broadly distributed in Asia, Australia, North America and Europe where it fruits singly or in close groups in coniferous or deciduous woodland. This is a choice edible species, although mature specimens can develop a bitter taste. Mushrooms are collected and sold in local markets of Europe, Mexico, and Canada.

More information: Hydnum repandum: Wikipedia

These hedgehogs found in lower Roberts Creek, Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada.

McDowell is crazy for teeth mushrooms and boletes. When out foraging for teeth, Balfour made the find of the ‘biggest hedgehog ever’ in our foraging, McDowell was thrilled. She returned to Tofino and had celebratory tastings with friends.

 

Another big find late in the season, bit more wear and tear but still delish!

About the Hedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum repandum)

Hydnum repandum, commonly known as the hedgehog or sweet tooth mushroom, is an edible mushroom with no poisonous lookalikes. A basidiomycete fungus of the family Hydnaceae, it is the type species of the genus Hydnum. The fungus produces fruit bodies(mushrooms) that are characterized by their spore-bearing structures—in the form of spines rather than gills—which hang down from the underside of the cap. The cap is dry, colored yellow to light orange to brown, and often develops an irregular shape, especially when it has grown closely crowded with adjacent fruit bodies. The mushroom tissue is white with a pleasant odor and a spicy or bitter taste. All parts of the mushroom stain orange with age or when bruised.

A mycorrhizal fungus, Hydnum repandum is broadly distributed in Asia, Australia, North America and Europe where it fruits singly or in close groups in coniferous or deciduous woodland. This is a choice edible species, although mature specimens can develop a bitter taste. Mushrooms are collected and sold in local markets of Europe, Mexico, and Canada.

More information: Hydnum repandum: Wikipedia