Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Scientific Name: Hericium erinaceus.

This is a mushroom that grows naturally on living trees in North American forests, but can also be cultivated using freshly cut hardwood logs or sterilized hardwood sawdust. It has almost unusual appearance, featuring a fountain of spiny columns for spore dispersal rather than the more typical cap and gills, which provide imagination for some of the other names it is known by: Pom Pom, Monkey Head and Beard Tooth. Now occasionally seen in North American markets and in eclectic restaurants, Lion’s Mane is considered a delicious table mushroom.

Cultivation: This is one of the more difficult mushrooms to grow on wood logs. It can be several years from inoculation until fruiting commences. The inoculation procedure is similar to Shiitake: Use small diameter oak or hard maple logs cut in the dormant season and inoculated soon after. For consistent and faster production, grow them in a cool, humid area from our pre-inoculated cultures such as our Lion’s Mane Table Top Farm. For growers interested in producing enough for a regular market, Lion’s Mane Starter Sets are also available.