Sarcodon squamosus

Photo: ABFG library

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Description

General: Large, coarsely scaly brown cap with greyish spiny under surface; solitary or in scattered groups on soil in coniferous woods favouring pine and spruce.
Dimensions: 10 -25cm dia; stem 4-7 cm tall x 2-4cm dia.
Fruit Body: Cap yellowish-brown decorated with coarse darker brown scales, erect at the centre more flattened at the incurved margin, arranged in concentric rows, at first shallowly convex then flattened or slightly depressed at the centre; stem at first whitish becoming brown but remaining pallid at the base, equal or somewhat clavate towards the base, downy. Spines at first white or pallid, then grey with purplish-brown tinge, decurrent.
Spines: At first white or pallid, then grey with purplish-brown tinge, decurrent.

Spores: Hyaline, smooth, sub-spherical, thick-walled, 5-6 x 3.5-4.0 µm . Basidia 4 spored.
Odour: Spicy.
Taste: Not Distinctive. Inedible.
Chemical Tests: None.
Occurrence: Late Summer to Autumn.

 

 

Qualifying criterion: 4.4: uncommon species with restricted to microhabitat of pinewoods predominantly in Scotland
Justification: current BAP action for stipitate hydnoid fungi needs to continue
Threats: habitat destruction including trampling, mountain biking, compacting, track maintenance, felling of host trees especially sweet chestnut, eutrophication
Action Required: Survey and monitoring; protection against habitat loss and degradation; ecological assessment, taxonomic research.

 

Statistics:

UK (excluding NI & CI) fungus records

Total records: 328

Earliest recording: 1856
Latest recording: 2007
Vice Counties and (frequency): 2(1); 9(2); 11(10); 12(1); 14(1); 16(7); 17(7); 20(2); 22(4); 25(2); 26(1); 29(1); 30(1); 36(2); 62(2); 85(2); 88(10); 92(34); 95(26); 96(116); 106(2); 107(2); 108(1)
Pre-1960: 101 records
NBN Gateway grid map Post-1960: 227 records