Lion ’s mane mushroom have a decided look and are easy to key if you know what to search for . Growing on trees , they are a good monitor to also look up when forage mushrooms ! Lion ’s mane mushroom are deliciously comestible and medicinal , and a grand mushroom-shaped cloud for beginners .
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AboutHericium
Lion ’s mane ( Hericiumerinaceus ) is an easy to identify comestible mushroom that has a distinct feeling with bloodless hair or prospicient teeth - like features and a pommy - pommy shape . To me they look like they come from a cartoon timberland !
They are sometimes known as faceless hedgehogs . When they are youthful and the spines are forgetful ( like in the photograph above ) , along with their round form , they resemble a hedgehog .
These mushrooms are great for tyro forager because there are not many look - a - like . If you are concerned in more mushrooms for beginning foragers , find5 loose to identify mushroomshere .
There are many race ofHericium . All of them count similar , and all are eatable too , which takes a lot of the risk out of foraging for Lion ’s mane .
The chief subspecies ofHericiumthat are found in North America are :
These mushrooms are all closely associate and have the same uses for edible and medicinal determination .
Hericiumare a crepuscule season mushroom that favor the cooler temperatures . depend on the part , sometimes you could find them any time from late summer to early winter .
In Vermont I commonly see them in late September through mid October , in good order in time for the weather to be a footling chilly and a bit damp .
relate : What to Forage in Fall : 30 + comestible and Medicinal Plants and Mushrooms
Where to Find Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Hericiumspecies uprise throughout the northern hemisphere , so for those of us in the US and Canada they are a undecomposed choice for successful foraging . They also grow in Europe and Asia .
Various varieties of this species grow in unlike regions of the US and Canada . Here ’s what to calculate for and where :
Lion ’s mane are parasite mushrooms that originate on dead or dying hardwood trees or fallen log . So as you are foraging , call up to attend up into the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree as well as down on come down logs !
You will most often see these mushroom on oak tree , beech , or maple trees . The only exception to this is the Western Coral Hedgehog which primarily grows onconifers , especially Douglas fir tree .
Identifying Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Lion ’s head of hair and otherHericiumspecies share a common feature : they all are bloodless or light in color with dangling “ teeth ” of varying lengths , depending on the species .
They can be small , and some grow very large . SomeHericiumcan grow up toone foot across !
Lion ’s maneis a single ball or clump with no branching . It has dangling tooth that can develop to be 2 inches retentive or more , but start out look like short spines .
These magical look mushrooms look like a big pom pom , with a egg - like anatomy . When they ’re young and the spines are short , some say they resemble a porcupine and I agree !
Bear ’s head toothhas numerous branches growing from a fundamental base and the tooth are generally about one in long or less .
Coral toothis named that because it resembles coral , with its broadly speaking ramify habit and teeth that are ½ inch long or less .
Western coral hedgehoglooks very exchangeable to bear ’s head tooth , but it grows in western north America .
AllHericiummushrooms generally come out white when unseasoned , but as they mature they often turn lily-livered or brown a bit .
HarvestingHericium
It ’s best to reap lion ’s mane and otherHericiumspecies when they are still young . They ’ll be white or sometimes light pink in color .
As they age they turnyellow or brownand can become mushy , so I do n’t recommend harvesting those .
Use a tongue to cautiously tailor them off the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or lumber . This is the best way to keep the mycelium in tact without damage . Always bring yourmushroom knifewhen foraging !
Due to the nature of how mushrooms grow , they can be a bit lousy . All it takes is a ready rinsing if necessary before you cook lion ’s head of hair .
Lion’s Mane Look-a-Likes
Due to their unparalleled features , most notably the dangling teeth , there are n’t many lion ’s mane look - a - likes to speak of .
If you find a white or light-headed mushroom cloud with the distinctive dangling teeth , it is probably in theHericiumfamily . All of this specie of mushroom cloud are eatable , so there is some peace treaty of mind in that .
However , as always , it ’s respectable to consult with a local mushroom guidebook or a mushroom expert before wipe out any .
Related:12 Best Books on Foraging and Wildcrafting
Note : I love the booksAll That the Rain Promises and Moreby David Arora andMushrooms of the Northeastby Teresa Marrone and Walt Sturgeon . Both are sac guides little enough to well pack with you on your foraging stumble with really helpful pic and description .
Coral mushroomscan look moderately similar , depending on the mintage . The biggest notable remainder is that they have branch that develop up rather than tooth that grow down .
There are many species of coral mushroom , some of which are comestible and some of which are toxic . So it is authoritative to take note of the differences .
Note : The look - a - like mushroom is yell acoral mushroom cloud , not to be confused withcoral tooth mushroomwhich is aHericiumspecies .
Lion ’s mane and otherHericiumspecies have dangle icicle like teethhanging down , and coral mushroom have loose ramification thatgrow upward .
How to Cook Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Edible and delicious , now it ’s sentence to learn how to ready lion ’s mane mushrooms ! As with all wild mushroom , I do n’t recommend rust lion ’s mane mushroom raw .
Lion ’s mane and otherHericiummushrooms are considered some of the good try edible mushroom out there . Some say they taste similar to lobster or Cancer , and they have a meaty texture .
mushroom are absorbent by nature , so they can take on smack as you misrepresent them too .
Slice andsimply sautélion ’s mane mushrooms in butter , for a tops childlike and pleasant-tasting way to eat them . total Allium sativum and fresh herbs as desired , to add even more spirit !
With their meaty seafood - like texture , they also ferment well in mushroom soup orchowder . This is a warm and comforting mode to enjoy these fall mushrooms on a chilly sidereal day .
Some people like to turn lion ’s mane into mushroom“crab ” cakes ! This recipe is a bunch pleaser and is gross for this mushroom ’s case of meatiness and flavor . Plus , it ’s a “ crab ” cake that vegetarian or anyone hypersensitive to shell Pisces can eat !
Medicinal Uses of Lion’s Mane
Lion ’s mane mushroom cloud is anti - inflammatory , and may also be practiced for the immune system .
Aside from forage and cookery social lion ’s mane , it comes inpowdered formor anextract or tincturewhich makes it easy to utilise medicinally .
Lion ’s head of hair is considered to be amedicinal mushroomand anadaptogenic mushroom .
Adaptogens are known for facilitate our answer to tenseness . They help our brain ’s ability to adapt and Libra the Scales animation ’s ups and down .
boost better sleep , store , focus , and reduce anxiety , lion ’s mane is a grand adaptogenic mushroom to utilize medicinally . It ’s good for all around brain wellness !
Use fine-grained Leo the Lion ’s mane inmushroom hot chocolateormushroom chocolatesas a tasty means to access its medicative benefits !
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