
Fungus · Sparassidaceae
Cauliflower Fungus
Sparassis crispa
Facts
- Habitat
- Base of Scots Pine and other conifers
- Substrate
- Parasitic, Scots Pine root associate
Ecological relationships
Grows on
A near-obligate root parasite of Scots Pine, fruiting at the tree's base as a spectacular cream-coloured mass of curling fronds. Causes a butt rot that can eventually kill the host, but infected trees may stand for many years.
Causes butt rot in Norway Spruce; a major secondary host alongside Scots Pine.