Hericium erinaceus
Lion's Mane / Old Man's Beard
Not a common find but if you remember where you found them in the past you can get to them again when the prime mushroom picking season has run it's course.
I have found these here in southwest Pennsylvania as late as mid November.
The one growing under the tree trunk shown above was spotted due to ESP. Over the 35 years that I have been picking wild mushrooms I have developed 'MESP' ( mushroom ESP ). I have had so many occasions where I have found what I was looking for because of some premonition. You know, like turning left instead of right, or going up the hill instead of down or turning around to look behind me at some unexpected time. This MESP really became developed over the years during various Springs when the Morels played their hide-n-seek games with me. It helps immensely to have MESP, especially when hunting down Morels, and even more especially, the little black ones.
Anyway, the one above was spotted after I walked twenty yards past it, on my way to a loaded Barberry bush, and all of a sudden I had that gut feeling to look behind me. Sure enough, there it was, sticking out like sore thumb.
The wild mushroom god, Mycorella, put a spot light on it via the rays of the afternoon's setting sun. Anyone would have seen it once turned around.
It really feels great to find some good mushrooms when you don't really expect to have a good haul during cold Fall weather.
Here is a close-up to help with the ID. There is not a lot to describe. There is one main cushiony stem from which all the spines droop.
When fresh Lion's Mane is mostly on the white side. As it ages it starts to become more cream color than white.
You want these when they are white.
You will find these in the Fall, a mild Winter and again in the Spring growing on hardwood tree trunks. They can be on living trees ( just barely ) or they can be on dead trees or downed trunks.
Make a note of where found - even if you don't pick it because it's to far gone - because next year its' abode will be a destination to look forward to.
Hericium erinaceus - A/K/A - Old Man's Beard.
DATE - November 1, 2011.
FOUND - Laurel Hill State Park, near Bakersville, Pennsylvania.
Growing at the cut end of a downed hardwood tree. All I could tell was it was deciduous.
Weather conditions: Wet - due to the record snowfall Halloween Eve 2011.
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