Sarcodon calvatus (K.A. Harrison) K.A. Harrison
robust hedgehog
Bankeraceae
Species account author: Ian Gibson.
Extracted from Matchmaker: Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest.
Introduction to the Macrofungi
robust hedgehog
Bankeraceae
Species account author: Ian Gibson.
Extracted from Matchmaker: Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest.
Introduction to the Macrofungi
Species Information
Summary:
Features include 1) a buff to pale cinnamon brown cap that is bald breaking into small appressed scales, 2) brown teeth with pale tips, 3) a short stem colored like the cap or paler, 4) mild to spicy odor, and 5) microscopic characters including clamp connections. |Var. odoratum is distinguished by its odor which is similar to that of Hydnellum suaveolens. |Some species in Sarcodon were reassigned starting in 2019 to Hydnellum based largely on molecular criteria (Larsson(2)); Larsson(2) introduced spore length (with ornamentation excluded) as a possible differentiating criterion between the two genera: 7.4-9 microns for Sarcodon and 4.45-6.95 microns for Hydnellum, with Sarcodon quercinofibulatus as an exception. If this criterion holds, Sarcodon calvatus is likely to be moved to Hydnellum.
Chemical Reactions:
cap surface "staining blue-green to olive-black in KOH", (Arora)
Odor:
pungent in var. calvatus, fragrant in var. odoratus, (Harrison(4)), not distinctive in var. calvatus, in var. odoratum spicy, similar to that of Hydnellum suaveolens, (Harrison(1)), in var. odoratum fragrant, of coumarin or vanilla extract, (Hall), variable, mild to spicy-fragrant to farinaceous (Arora for H. calvatum group)
Taste:
mild then slowly bitter, not farinaceous (in var. odoratum mild or in the type faintly farinaceous), (Harrison(1)), mild to spicy-fragrant to farinaceous (Arora for H. calvatum group)
Microscopic:
spores 4-5.5 x 3-5 microns, nearly round to elliptic but prominently warted (angular-nodulose), (Arora), spores 4-5.5 x 3.5-4 microns, oblong, nodulose, nodules tuberculate; basidia 4-spored, 25 x 5-6 microns; hyphae in teeth "2-8 microns wide, parallel, tightly packed, clamps compressed, walls wavy"; hyphae of epicutis 5-8 microns wide, "interwoven, containing a layer of reddish material", some tramal cells inflated to 9-12 microns wide, numerous large clamp connections at cross-walls; the thin epicutis ''turns blue-green in KOH and the same hyphae give the "apparent amyloid" reaction in Melzer''s reagent'', (Harrison(1))
Spore Deposit:
wood brown (Harrison(1)), brown (Arora)
Notes:
Sarcodon calvatus has been found at least in OR and ID, (Harrison(1), both var. calvatus described below, and var. odoratum), BC (collection at Pacific Forestry Centre determined by K.A. Harrison as Hydnum calvatum), WA (Hall, var. odoratum). This or a close species was found in New Mexico by Arora.
EDIBILITY
unknown (Arora)
Habitat and Range
SIMILAR SPECIES
Sarcodon leucopus is smaller with larger spores (Harrison(1) as H. laevigatum). Sarcodon crassus [here synonymized with Hydnellum versipelle] has a different color when fresh, and lacks the reaction in the epicutis (blue-green to KOH, apparent amyloid to Melzer''s reagent), (Harrison(1)). S. crassus is slightly brighter in color, has larger spores, and its flesh may stain yellow-green when cut, (Arora).Habitat
"in groups or clumps, often with small or aborted fruiting bodies present, on ground in mixed woods and under conifers", (Arora), sometimes concrescent [growing joined together]; cespitose [in tufts], gregarious in coniferous forests (var. odoratum under alder and willow, near fir), (Harrison(1))
Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Hydnum calvatum K.A. Harrison