7 October 2025 Near Brockenhurst, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Common Name Cauliflower fungus Fruiting Body A sub-spherical mass of irregularly curled flat fronds growing from a short thick stem, cream to pale yellowish brown, to about 30 cm across Flesh Whitish, firm Smell Pleasant, scented Taste Pleasant Season Autumn Distribution Frequent Habitat At the base of living and dead conifers, attached to the roots Spore Print Whitish Microscopic Features Spores pip shaped, smooth (5-7) x (4-5) µm2 Edibility Edible, excellent, but needs thorough cleaning to remove insects and debris 
11 October 2010 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
16 October 2020 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |