Czech mushroom picker finds rare 15-kg fungus near Tachov

In the forest between the villages of Bory and Vysočany in the Tachov district, local mushroom picker Cudrák found a fungus weighing around fifteen kilograms. He took it for a cauliflower mushroom, a species that occurs quite commonly in the wild. In fact, it turned out to be the far rarer Sparassis nemecii, also known as Němec's cauliflower mushroom.

How the two mushroom species differ

According to mycologist Lepšová, the main difference lies in which trees the fungi parasitize: the common cauliflower mushroom usually grows on pine roots, while Sparassis nemecii most often settles on fir trees. The shape of their fruiting bodies also differs. The expert said Sparassis nemecii is a rare, nearly endangered species included in the Red List, and it should not have been picked. The patch of forest where the find was made is not part of a nature reserve or any other protected area.

Lepšová stressed that although the mushroom picker broke no law or regulation, it is best to turn to specialists in doubtful cases. She noted that, for example, there is a mycological advice group on Facebook where people can send a photo of a mushroom and ask for help identifying the species if they have doubts.

The mushroom picker disagrees with the criticism

Cudrák himself said he had received no negative feedback from experts. “I’ve only had positive reactions. I didn’t know it was a different species. Luckily, the fungus will keep growing there even though I picked it”, he commented. Lepšová admitted he had a point, but still recommended leaving part of the fruiting body in place in such cases, as it helps the fungus reproduce better.

There are worse cases, too

Mycologist Jan Borovička agrees with her. “It’s hard to be angry at someone who acted that way out of ignorance or carelessness. Sometimes even we find it difficult to pinpoint a mushroom species exactly”, he noted. According to him, the situation is worse when people pick specially protected species — the royal bolete, for example. Such cases are recorded as well.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz