Cauliflower Fungus
Dominicus Johannes Bergsma / CC0

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

  • Scots PinePinus sylvestris

    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.

  • Norway SprucePicea abies

    Causes butt rot in Norway Spruce; a major secondary host alongside Scots Pine.