Hericium Coralloides

Day 71: Three species of Hericium are known to occur in Washington, with the most common type being H. abietis. The other two have only been documented in a few counties, and I am pleased to say that one of the records is my own observation of H. coralloides (above) from 2020. I had not seen it in the intervening years, so was rather surprised when I found it again a few days ago in the same location which, of course, I never pass without checking for it since it is relatively rare. This particular specimen is well-protected by brush and brambles, and had I not known exactly where to look, I would have passed it by without noticing it. As it was, when I came to the tree, I thought I could see a glimpse of pinkish white in the tangle and, at hazard to life, limb and eyeglasses, pushed my way through to an unobstructed view. I could barely crouch down without spiking some portion of anatomy on thorns, and once the requisite photo had been taken, extricating myself from the cage of branches and bristles was another challenge since I'd bent them all down one direction as I'd made my way in. For a brief moment, I felt much as a lobster must feel when it enters a trap. Botany is not a bed of rose petals, my friends. It can be a very dangerous sport.