Sparassis crispa

(Wulfen) Fr.

Growing out from the base of a Douglas fir in Billericay, Essex.
Two developing fruiting masses
Shredded fruiting masses beneath black pine near Gusted Hall Wood, Essex
A closer inspection of individual fronds
A cross-section of the flesh

Growing out from the base of a Douglas fir in Billericay, Essex.
Two developing fruiting masses
Shredded fruiting masses beneath black pine near Gusted Hall Wood, Essex
A closer inspection of individual fronds
A cross-section of the flesh
Mature duo of fruit bodies at the base of Douglas fir in Billericay, UK.
Close-up of fronds of a mature fruit body.
Mature fruit body at the base of atlas cedar in Sunningdale, UK.
Close-up of fronds of a mature fruit body.
Mature fruit body at the base of atlas cedar in Sunningdale, UK.

Common name

Cauliflower fungus; wood cauliflower.

Often found on

Pine.

Sometimes found on

Cedar, fir, larch, spruce.

Location

Found growing at or out from the base of the tree – including from buried roots.

Description

Annual. Soft and fleshy. Grows singularly or in groups to the size of a cauliflower head and adopts a similar morphology. Fronds are an orange-brown colour that pale promptly moving down into the fruiting mass. Flesh pale white-beige. Can be found torn apart / shredded by animals.

Confused with

Grifola frondosa (found on broadleaved species).

Significance

Attributed to a cubical brown rot of wood. Has been associated with structural failure. When found, investigations into structural stability of the tree might be necessary. Hollowness investigations are not likely to yield informative results, due to the subterranean nature of the decay, in most instances. Where decay is considered to have progressed up the stem, hollowness investigations may however be undertaken and yield useful results.