Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) - has many names: pom pom mushroom, the monkey’s head mushroom, the bearded hedgehog mushroom...
It is parasitic mushroom which grows on both living and dying hardwoods, particularly oak trees. In North Carolina could be found in the late summer and fall (this one I found November 1st on the trail in DuPont State Forest).
Lion's Mane mushroom is important in traditional medicine of China, Korea and Japan, where it has been used for thousands of years. In recent years, this mushroom has gained popularity thanks to its different name:
"smart mushroom". Lion's Mane has attracted worldwide attention due to its unique brain-supporting potential; it is considered to be very good for brain and nervous system health and healing.
It is an edible mushroom and in our state it is considered one of the best edible forest mushrooms.
Soplówka jeżowata - to polska nazwa tego niezwykłego grzyba. Ten grzyb w Polsce występuje bardzo rzadko i jest pod ochroną.