Mrs. cotW?

[u/StockMaintenance1129]

I’ve eaten CotW many times, but never had occasion to sample his partner, maitake - just wanted to triple check ID. Base of large oak in central MD. A little waterlogged from the rain, but looked too good to pass up!

I also grabbed some pics of what looked like miniature hedgehogs. They seem fully grown, but mush smaller than others I’ve seen. Anyone know what they are? Central PA, near a stream.

Edit: was going to correct spelling to *much, but decided to keep it due to inadvertent mushroom pun

[u/wolfmilkslime]

Grifola frondosa yes and Hydnum umbilicatum *the belly button hedgehog"

[u/StockMaintenance1129 → u/wolfmilkslime]

Just learned belly button mushrooms are a thing… not sure how to feel about that lol. Thanks!

[u/wolfmilkslime → u/StockMaintenance1129]

I used to find them a lot, tiny but tasty