Funghi
Hydnum rufescens
A tier
Hydnum rufescens is the terracotta or rufous hedgehog—smaller, more orange-brown than H. repandum, often with a slenderer stature. Flavour is similar sweet-nutty hedgehog character; some find it slightly more intense. Cook as for wood hedgehog; pick firm young fruitbodies. Species boundaries in Hydnum have been revised by DNA—culinary treatment stays constant.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
Cream SauceMixed HedgehogsRoastSauté
Traits
EdibleNuttyRufous ColourSmallerSmaller StatureSweet NuttyTerracottaTooth Fungus
History
Mycologists separated rufescent hedgehogs from pale H. repandum.
SE
Northern European woods yielded H. rufescens to regular foragers.
Field keys used colour and size to split rufescens from repandum.
Molecular studies refined Hydnum species concepts including rufescens.