Black Scented Spine Fungus
Description
Fruit-body top-shaped to funnel-shaped, up to 6 cm high. Cap Ø 3-8 cm, irregularly round, velvety, undulate lumpy, occasionally with upturned scales at the centre, concentrically zoned, blue-black or brown-black to black, with acute, light grey-blue to whitish marginal zone. Spines up to 3 mm long, whitish to blue grey or grey-brown.
Stem felted, cylindrical, 2-5 x 1-2 cm, black. Flesh though, with black and brown zones. Smell spicy, of lovage.
Spore-print colour whitish.
Occurrence
Near deciduous trees (Oak, Beech), occasionally near coniferous trees (Fir) in woods on poor, shifting sandy soil and along poor roadsides with old trees.
Forming ectomycorrhiza.
Status
Rare (Red Data List, ed. 1)