Sparassis crispa (Wulfen) Fr.
(Wood Cauliflower, Brain Fungus)

Taxonomic hierarchy:
SpeciesSparassis crispa (Wood Cauliflower, Brain Fungus)
GenusSparassis (a genus of fungi)
FamilySPARASSIDACEAE (cauliflower fungi)
OrderPOLYPORALES (polypores)
SubclassAGARICOMYCETIDAE (a subclass of basidiomycetes)
ClassAGARICOMYCETES (a class of fungi)
SubphylumAGARICOMYCOTINA (a subphylum of fungi)
PhylumBASIDIOMYCOTA (spore droppers, basidiomycetes)
KingdomFUNGI (true fungi)
DomainEukaryota (eukaryotes)
LifeBIOTA (living things)
Records of Sparassis crispa (Wood Cauliflower, Brain Fungus) :
1: Sparassis crispa (Wood Cauliflower, Brain Fungus)
1 Oct 2014 OSGR: SU00 50° 50’ N, 1° 60’ W Vice County: Dorset (VC 9) England
on ground, a few cm from Scots Pine trunk
Image 1: Fruitbody - close-upImage 2: Fruitbody - close-up (2)Image 3: Fruitbody - close-up (3)Image 4: Fruitbody - close-up (4)Image 5: Fruitbody - matureImage 6: Fruitbody - mature - oblique viewImage 7: Fruitbody - mature - oblique view (2)Image 8: Fruitbody - mature - top viewImage 9: Fruitbody - young - oblique viewImage 10: Fruitbody - young - oblique view (2)Image 11: Fruitbody - young - top viewImage 12: Fruitbody - young - top view (2)
2: Sparassis crispa (Wood Cauliflower, Brain Fungus)
7 Oct 2001 OSGR: ST88 51° 40’ N, 2° 10’ W Vice County: East Glos (VC 33) England
Image 1: Close-upImage 2: Close-up (2)Image 3: FruitbodyImage 4: In basketImage 5: In basket (2)Image 6: In basket (3)
3: Sparassis crispa (Wood Cauliflower, Brain Fungus)
5 Oct 1975 OSGR: SU94 51° 10’ N, 0° 40’ W Vice County: Surrey (VC 17) England
Image 1: Fruitbody - in situ
4: Sparassis crispa (Wood Cauliflower, Brain Fungus)
4 Oct 1975 OSGR: SU86 51° 20’ N, 0° 40’ W Vice County: Berks (VC 22) England
Image 1: Fruitbody - in situImage 2: Fruitbody - in situ (2)

Sparassis crispa (Wood Cauliflower, Brain Fungus) may be included in identification literature listed under the following higher taxa:

NBNNBN (data.nbn.org.uk) has a distribution map for Sparassis crispa (Wood Cauliflower, Brain Fungus)
BioInfoBioInfo (www.bioinfo.org.uk) has 10 host/parasite/foodplant and/or other relationships for Sparassis crispa (Wood Cauliflower, Brain Fungus)

A large cauliflower-like fungus that is widespread and common, although usually seen in only small numbers. It fruits at the base of conifers, especially Pine (Pinus), where it is parasitic then saprobic on the roots, eventually killing the tree.

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