Species details
Aniseed cockleshell
Lentinellus cochleatus
Conditional / expert preparation
Photo: Thomas · CC0 · Photo source · License
Description
A clustered funnel-shaped wood fungus with saw-edged gills and a characteristic anise smell; young specimens are listed as edible.
Identification features
Cap 4–7 cm wide, ochre-brown, funnel-shaped and often irregular. Gills are crowded, strongly decurrent and saw-edged. The stem is lateral and tough.
Identification checklist
Check the strong anise smell, clustered funnel caps and distinctly saw-edged gills.
Detailed features
- Cap
- Cap 4–7 cm wide, ochre-brown, funnel-shaped and often irregular.
- Hymenophore
- The gills are crowded, strongly decurrent and saw-toothed along the edges.
- Stem
- The stem is lateral and tough.
Size
- Cap diameter
- 4–7 cm
Habitat
Grows in large clusters on stumps and dead hardwood from summer to autumn.
Fruiting period
July, August, September, October
Ecology
- Substrate
- Dead wood, Stumps
- Notes
- Grows in large clusters on stumps and dead hardwood from summer to autumn.
How to separate similar species
A scentless variety also exists; related species can be similar. Reliable identification is required for food use.
Similar species
- Lentinellus species
- Lilac oysterling (Panus conchatus)
- Pleurotus species