Wood Cauliflower - Sparassis crispa

Sparassis crispa can be recognised by its distinctive, whitish to pale buff, much-lobed fruitbodies, which have been considered to resemble a cauliflower.

Parasitic on roots of conifers, especially pines, fruiting at the base of the trunk, or sometimes on old stumps, and causing a cubical brown rot.

Summer and autumn.

Parasitic on roots of conifers.

Widespread but rather local in Britain.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.