Sparassis herbstii Pk. Fruit body a large mass of flattened, wavy, or lobed branches, the whole fungus resembling a cabbage or cauliflower-like mass, 15-30cm across, 15-20cm high. Individual branches are a pale creamy yellow and are variously lobed, curled, and twisted, uniting at the base into a root-like structure. Flesh tough; white. Odor pleasant. Taste pleasant. Spores ovate, smooth,
4-7 x 3-4µ. Deposit white. Habitat at base of trees, often pine or oak. Found in eastern North America. Season July-October. Edible-good. Comment This fungus is often called Sparassis crispa Wulf. ex Fr., but the true crispa has much tighter, more densely packed, smaller lobes.