Community find

Bleeding Tooth Fungus

Hydnellum peckii

Group

Tooth Fungus

Season

Commonly found in late summer and autumn.

Habitat

Typically found growing on the ground in coniferous and mixed forests, often under pine and spruce trees. It forms a mycorrhizal association with these trees, meaning it has a symbiotic relationship with their roots.

Key characteristics

The fruit body is initially whitish, often exuding bright red droplets (which resemble blood) when young and fresh. As it matures, it develops a tough, corky texture and becomes brownish, sometimes with a dark brown or reddish-brown cap. The cap can be irregularly shaped, often velvety or matted-fibrillose, with a depressed center. It has teeth or spines on its underside, which are whitish to pinkish-brown. It can grow up to 10 cm wide.

Look-alikes

Other species of Hydnellum, such as Hydnellum spongiosipes, do not exude red droplets. Hydnellum concrescens often grows in fused masses but lacks the vivid red exudation. Hydnellum suaveolens has an anise-like odor and often a blue tint.

Ecological role

Mycorrhizal, forming a symbiotic relationship with conifer trees, primarily pine and spruce. It helps the trees absorb nutrients and water from the soil in exchange for sugars produced by the tree through photosynthesis.