Specimen #13

The Teeth Fungi - Hydnaceae





Figure 1: Hericium coralloides found growing on decaying log.







Figure 2: Small section of Hericium coralloides that was collected from larger fungi (fig. 1).



 

Name: Hericium coralloides 

Common Name: Comb Tooth Fungi

Family: Hericiaceae  

Collection Date: 4th Oct. 2011 

Habitat: Found on fallen decaying log on a hillside.    

Location: West Woods Park
Description: Very large fungi, in one big cluster about 1 foot or more across. Removed small part of fungi for collection. Fungi white, with tooth-like projections on each branch. "Teeth" of fungi hanging straight down.   

Collector: Olivia Benjamin

Figure 3: Hericium coralloides.

Key used: Orson K. Miller Jr. 1977. Mushrooms of North America. E.P. Dutton New York.
Keying Steps:

Introduction Key pg. 282 Hdynaceae.

1a. Cap absent; fruiting body with long white, delicate hanging teeth...2

2b. Multiple branches with long spines...4
4a. Teeth hanging only from branch tips---> 332. H. coralloides

Ecology: This fungus is saprobic and possibly parasitic. They can grow alone or in clusters, usually on fallen hardwood branches. They grow throughout late summer and fall. They are widely distributed and very common throughout North America (Kuo, 2003). 

Kuo, M. (2003, October). Hericium coralloides. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/hericium_coralloides.html


Links
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/hericium_coralloides.html

http://www.messiah.edu/Oakes/fungi_on_wood/teeth%20and%20spine/species%20pages/Hericium%20coralloides.htm