White hedgehog or Wood hedgehog

Cap 3–12 cm, plano-convex in young mushrooms, in old ones often with an uneven wavy margin or slightly depressed. Creamy white, pale yellowish, in some specimens almost pure white. Surface matte, slightly sticky in wet weather, dry and faintly rough in dry weather.

The cap is 4-15 cm across, irregular, with an unevenly wavy margin; convex in young mushrooms, flat and spread out in mature ones, with a lumpy surface and a depressed center. The color is ivory, cream, ochre-yellow to light orange, turning reddish-brown in old mushrooms. The surface is dry and silky-suede, slightly sticky in wet weather. The cap skin is thin and peels easily.

Instead of gills or tubes — distinctive soft spines (teeth) hanging from the underside of the cap. The spines are creamy white, turning yellowish with age. Spine length 2–7 mm. Spore print white.

The spiny hymenophore is the key diagnostic feature. Under the cap there are densely packed thin, pointed spines 3-6 mm long that break off easily. The spines are white to cream, yellowing with age and turning reddish-ochre in old mushrooms. The spore print is white.

Stem 2–7 cm tall, 1–2 cm thick, cylindrical or slightly narrowing toward the base. Same color as the cap or slightly paler. Surface smooth, with no ring or volva.

The stem is 3-8 cm tall and 1-3 cm thick, cylindrical, often widening toward the base, sometimes eccentric (off-center from the cap). It's white to cream, yellowing slightly where pressed. The surface is smooth, with no ring. The stem flesh is firm, becoming spongy in old mushrooms.

Flesh white, springy and juicy in young mushrooms, toughish and brittle in old ones. Does NOT change color when cut. Texture fibrous, with a pleasant resistance under the knife.

The flesh is thick, white, firm and brittle. When cut, it slowly turns pale ochre (a slight yellowing). Young mushrooms have a delicate, pleasant nutty flavor; mature ones have a slightly bitter aftertaste that disappears after brief boiling.

Smell pleasant, with a nutty note (a hallmark of all Hydnum). Taste mild, sweetish in young mushrooms, possibly slightly bitter in old ones.

A faint, pleasant mushroomy-fruity aroma with a note of fresh nuts. The taste is mild and delicate; slightly bitter in old mushrooms.