Sparassis crispa
Classification
Fungi; Basidiomycota; Agaricomycotina; Agaricomycetes; Polyporales [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]
Species
|
NCBI: [1] |
Sparassis crispa
Cauliflower fungus, Cauliflower conifer
Description and Significance
"Sparassis crispa" is a species in the Fungi kingdom found all over the world in northern temperate forests (1). They are brown rot fungi which grow at the base of conifer trees such as pine, spruce, cedar, and larch (2). The fruiting body of the fungus is known as cauliflower fungus because of the resemblance it has with the vegetable, with flat and curly lobes that come in cream, white, and yellow. Cauliflower fungus are an edible mushroom, known for their culinary and medicinal benefits and are prized throughout Europe and Asia for their mild flavor and multiple health benefits such as anti-tumor and anti-cancer (1).
Life Cycle, Cell Structure, Metabolism
Interesting features of the life cycle, spores produced, reproductive features; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Genome Structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Habitat; symbiosis; environmental or industrial relevance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as host symptoms.
References
Author
Page authored by _____, student of Dr. Marc Orbach, University of Arizona .
