Hericium Abietis

Day 17: On October 19, I posted a photo of Hericium coralloides, a species I had probably observed on many occasions, although I never took the time to investigate its substrate. Had I done so and found it growing on hardwood, I would have known that it was not Hericium abietis (shown here), a morphologically identical species which grows only on conifer wood. Many fungi are substrate-specific, genetically encoded to release particular enzymes which will allow them to break down the substrate material into the nutrients which sustain them. In turn, the fungi may then be consumed by insects whose nutritional requirements match what the fungus has absorbed and carries in its tissues. Thus, one species of fungus may grow only on one substrate and may only be consumed by one type of insect, although in actuality the range is generally wider than 1:1:1. Mushroom rarity may be influenced by a number of different factors including plant associations, substrate availability, and so on. This specificity puts a whole new dimension on the phrase, "You are what you eat." Just ask a fungus.

Hericium Abietis, Bear's-Head

Day 363: This exquisite fungus has been jostled around taxonomically quite a bit since I first learned its scientific classification, and it seems to be one of those species names which is resistant to change in my mind. I hope that the friends who asked me about it only yesterday will forgive me for referring to it as a Hydnum from force of habit. In fact, the currently proper nomenclature is Hericium abietis, known commonly as Bear's-Head. It is edible and choice, but my conscience would give me gyp if I ever picked one and ate it. To me, that would be the gluttonous equivalent of...oh, let's say spray-painting graffiti on Yellowstone's Mammoth Terraces which, in fact, it resembles.

I had been admiring a recurrent colony for a number of years, watching it expand with each subsequent fruiting season until three years ago when I encountered a pair of collectors bearing large plastic bags near the spot where it grew. Given the size of their bags, I explained the Park's limits on gathering wild comestibles, but gave an inward sigh, fearing the deed had already been done and the evidence tucked safely out of sight. Continuing my patrol, I made a loop past the spot where my exemplary specimen should have been...and it was not. Nor was the smaller one which had been developing nearby. I checked the site again each of the next two years, but there was no sign of the fungus. Last night, Kevin showed me a photo he'd taken, largely to ask if I could identify it. I grilled him for the location, and today had the opportunity to check for myself. It was not growing in the precise spot where the previous specimens had been found, but it was close enough to be part of the same mycelial system. I hope no one collects it. It would be such a pity to destroy something so beautiful just for a few minutes of gustatory gratification.

Hericium Abietis

Day 16: One of four Hericium species to occur in the continental US, Hericium abietis (Bear's-head) is the most commonly found in the Pacific Northwest. Unlike its relatives, it grows almost exclusively on conifer wood, particularly that of Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock. Unmistakable in form for anything other than a closely related species, Hericium coralloides, it is considered edible and choice (as is H. coralloides), however a rare individual (your narrator, for example) will react badly to it, experiencing a variety of gastric side-effects sufficient to put the collector off further harvesting. Besides, who would want to destroy such a beautiful specimen just for the sake of a meal?