Bleeding tooth fungus
Bleeding tooth fungus
Bleeding tooth fungus
Scientific name: Hydnellum peckii
Common name: Bleeding tooth fungus.
Distribution: This inedible fungus is found in North America , Europe , Iran & Korea.
Description: This hydnoid spp. is found growing solitarily, scattered or clustered together in masses. It has a funnel shaped cap atop a stem like structure , with vertical spines or tooth like projections hanging from the under-surface. The young moist fruit bodies ‘bleed’ a bright red juice that contains a pigment known as atromentin . Its interesting to know that the pigment has anticoagulant properties similar to heparin.
Hydnellum peckii
Economic Importance:
1. These form a mycorrhizal association with a variety of conifers like hemlock and pines.
2. The fruit bodies are used as dyes giving varied hues of blue and green with a mordant.
The sight of a ‘red juice tooth’ instantly reminds you of cream and strawberry juice!
