Appearance: Large, dense clusters of short, thick spines resembling a lion’s paw or a cross between Lion’s Mane and Coral Tooth. Usually white to off-white, with a firm texture.
Flavor Profile: Meaty, sweet, and seafood-like—similar to crab or lobster but with a denser bite.
Growth Conditions:
Substrate: Prefers supplemented hardwood sawdust blocks (e.g., oak + bran).
Humidity: 90–95%.
Fresh Air Exchange (FAE): Moderate; 2–3 air exchanges per day to avoid surface fuzz.
Temperature:
Colonization: 70–75°F
Fruiting: 60–68°F
Yield:
5 lb substrate block: 1.5–2.5 lbs total.
Flushes: 2–3
Per Flush: 0.75–1.25 lbs on the first flush; slightly lower yields on later flushes.
Popularity: Gaining attention as a premium gourmet item—firmer than Lion’s Mane and easier to cook with.
Uses: Culinary (great in steaks, stir-fries, or shredded like crab); works well in high-heat cooking.
Notes: Fruit bodies should be harvested before spines elongate too much. Benefits from a light misting during fruiting to maintain surface moisture.