Bearded Tooth is a mushroom that tends to grow a little later in the fall, at least in the D.C. region. It is easy to spot because all the leaves have fallen off the trees by then and they are usually bright white. When closer examined they are a ball of icicle-like white hairs that turn a little browner with age.
They also can grow quite high in trees which can lead to one acting like a monkey jumping up and down, throwing rocks and sticks, only to walk away disappointed and empty-handed. But, most of the time they are close enough to the ground to grab for a happy serene zenful hike.
The bearded tooth mushroom has kind of a nutty flavor that can get a little bitter with age. It is also easy to prepare. Simply grab a pinch of the hairs and rip them upwards along the fibers. This will make julienne like cuts ready to throw in the pan
If you should come across one, you should have no fear. Its only look-a-likes are other Hericiums that are equally delicious. They are called Comb Tooth (Hericium ramosum) and Bear’s Head Tooth (Hericium coralloides). Their main difference is that they don’t grow into a ball shape, though, this can make them a lot harder to clean.
People often ask where I find mushrooms and I tell them I find them everywhere I can find a little bit of nature. I don’t recommend picking any mushrooms along heavily traveled roads due to carcinogenic hydrocarbons from vehicle emissions, but I often do spot them while driving.