Hydnaceae (Tooth Fungi)

Did you hear about the mycologist who always won at poker because he Hydnaceae up his sleeve?

The Hydnaceae are a family of fungi in the order Cantharellales. Originally the family encompassed all species of fungi that produced basidiocarps (fruit bodies) having a hymenium (spore-bearing surface) consisting of slender, downward-hanging tapering extensions referred to as "spines" or "teeth",^[2] whether they were related or not. This artificial but often useful grouping is now more generally called the hydnoid or tooth fungi. In the strict, modern sense, the Hydnaceae are limited to the genus Hydnum and related genera, with basidiocarps having a toothed or poroid hymenium. Species in the family are ectomycorrhizal, forming a mutually beneficial relationship with the roots of trees and other plants. Hydnum repandum (the hedgehog fungus) is an edible species, commercially collected in some countries and often marketed under the French name "pied de mouton".



Hericium americanum (Lion's mane, the bear's head tooth fungus, monkey head, or the icicle mushroom)

According to Mushroom Expert.com:

Hericium americanum is North America's only Hericium species with long spines and a branched fruiting body. It is apparently found only east of the Great Plains, fruiting from dead wood or live trees. Though it is more frequently found on hardwoods, it is documented on conifers. When young, before the branches have developed, it might be confused with Hericium erinaceus; be sure you are examining mature, fully developed specimens before proclaiming your identification to God and country.


Hericium coralloides (formally Hericum Rhamosom) (Comb Tooth Hericium)

Top - #32 in-situ, Bottom left #33, Bottom right #32 close-up

Location and description: Beech maple forest/hogsback, on wood specimen #32 about 3 cm, #33 about 10 cm

This delicately beautiful Hericium fruits from dead hardwood logs and stumps, sometimes in huge patches that can be seen from quite some distance. It is recognized by its short (mostly about 1 cm long) spines, and the fact that the spines hang in rows along delicate branches.





Hericium erinaceus (Old Man's Beard or Lion's Mane Hericium)

Found at Newport Forest, Oct, 2011

is an edible mushroom and medicinal mushroom in the tooth fungus group. Native to North America, it can be identified by its tendency to grow all the spines out from one group (rather than branches), long spines (greater than 1 cm length) and its appearance on hardwoods. Hericium erinaceus can be mistaken for three other species of Hericium which also grow in North America, all of which are popular edibles. In the wild, these mushrooms are common during late summer and fall on hardwoods, particularly American Beech.

First recorded at Newport Forest in 2001.