✅ Edibility Note
EDIBLE: Mild flavor when cooked, though smaller and less substantial than H. repandum. May develop slight bitterness with age. The distinctive spines/teeth on underside and depressed center make identification straightforward. Clean thoroughly as spines trap debris. Collect young specimens for best quality.
Description
Depressed Hedgehog has a small orange to orange-brown cap (2-7 cm) with a distinctive DEPRESSED or SUNKEN CENTER (umbilicate), creating a funnel or vase shape. The underside is covered with brittle, downward-pointing SPINES or TEETH instead of gills or pores - these spines are orange to pale orange, shorter than H. repandum. The stem is central, slender, smooth, orange to pale orange, often darker at the base. The flesh is pale orange, thin, brittle, with a mild to slightly bitter taste. Spore print is white. Smaller and more orange-toned than the common Sweet Tooth.
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat: Mycorrhizal with both hardwoods and conifers. Found on the ground in mixed forests, mossy areas, under oak, beech, and conifers. Often grows scattered or in small groups. Prefers acidic soils and moss.
Region: Pacific Northwest, Northeast, Midwest, Rocky Mountains, Europe
Seasonality
Summer through fall (August-November), with peak fruiting in fall.
Common Lookalikes
Always verify identification to avoid these similar species:
- Hydnum repandum (Sweet Tooth) - larger, paler, lacks depressed center
- Hydnum rufescens (Terracotta Hedgehog) - similar but darker, more reddish-brown
- Cantharellus species - have ridges not true teeth/spines
Track Your Depressed Hedgehog Finds
Save location, photos, and notes securely on your device. Works offline in the deep woods.
Download Mushroom TrackerDisclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. Never consume a wild mushroom unless you are 100% certain of its identification.