Abstract:
Sparassis crispa also known as cauliflower mushroom) is a genus of parasitic and saprobic mushrooms characterised by their unique shape and appearance. This appearance can be described as similar to a sea sponge, a brain, or a head of cauliflower, from which it has been given its popular name.,The generic name comes from the Greek sparassein meaning to tear. Sparassis crispa is very tasty, but should be thoroughly cleaned before use, as the folds can contain dirt and other material, as it grows and envelops objects around it such as pine needles. It grows in small or large clusters on living or dead trees or on soil above buried wood often fruiting year after from the same log or stump..Fruiting body :is 10-40 cm broad;,arising from large basal branches that in turn arise from a large underground base or short and contorted ,whitish to yellowish or tan; each branch with fairly conspicuous zones of color or evenly colored Spore Print: whitish. Spores 5-7 x 4-5 ยต smooth; broadly elliptical; non amyloid,. Clamp connections present Sparassis crispa is being described from Shimla hills of Himachal Pradesh. Its habit, habitat, taxonomic features, edibility and ethnomycological details have been incorporated in this communication.
Keywords: sparassein, taxonomic features,, Clamp connections hymenium, Melzer's reagen, lactophenol camera lucida. Sparassis crispa,