Emily Johnson
Devil's Tooth, also known as the Bleeding Tooth Fungus, is a member of the family Bankeraceae and belongs to the genus Hydnellum. It is commonly found in forested, mountainous areas in North America, Europe, Iran, and South Korea. The mushroom has a distinct appearance, with small tooth-like projections underneath its cap, and a white or beige colour when young, turning pink, blue, or beige as it matures. Devil's Tooth gets its name from the red sap that oozes out of it, resembling blood. This sap contains a chemical compound called atromentin, which has anticoagulant properties. While the mushroom is not poisonous, its bitter taste makes it unpalatable. Devil's Tooth is also prized by mushroom dyers for its ability to produce natural dyes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hydnellum peckii |
| Common Names | Devil's Tooth, Strawberries and Cream, Bleeding Hydnellum, Red-juice Tooth, Peck's Hydnum, Bleeding Tooth Fungus |
| Appearance | Beige, pink, sometimes blue |
| Texture | Velvety when young, due to soft "hairs" on the surface |
| Taste | Bitter |
| Edibility | Not toxic, but not recommended for consumption due to bitter taste |
| Spores | Produced by small tooth-like projections under the mushroom cap |
| Habitat | Forested, mountainous areas in North America, Europe, Iran, and South Korea |
| Ecology | Symbiotic relationship with coniferous trees, improves nutrient absorption |
| Medicinal Properties | Contains atromentin, which has anticoagulant and antibiotic properties |
| Dye | Can be dried and used as a natural dye |
| Conservation Status | Becoming rare in some parts of Europe due to pollution and nitrogen deposits |
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What You'll Learn
Devil's Tooth: Common names and appearance
Devil's Tooth, also known as the Strawberry and Cream mushroom, is the common name for the fungus Hydnellum peckii. It belongs to the genus Hydnellum of the family Bankeraceae. The unusual appearance of the young fruit bodies has earned the species several descriptive common names, including "strawberries and cream", the "bleeding Hydnellum", the "red-juice tooth", "Peck's hydnum", the “bleeding tooth fungus”, and the "devil's tooth". The devil's tooth fungus has a distinctive appearance, often characterised by a teeth-like hymenium, rather than gills or pores on the underside of the mushroom cap. These "teeth" are specialised structures used to produce spores. The fungus is known for its "bleeding" appearance, which is caused by the release of a pigment-tinted sap due to increased water absorption. This sap contains a chemical compound called atromentin, which has anticoagulant properties.
The devil's tooth fungus is commonly found in forested, often mountainous, areas in North America, Europe, Iran, and South Korea. In North America, it is typically associated with coniferous trees such as Douglas-fir, fir, and hemlock, and it has been found along the Oregon Coast under lodgepole pine. In Europe, it is widespread in Italy, Germany, and Scotland, but it is becoming increasingly rare in some regions due to factors such as pollution and nitrogen deposits affecting its habitat.
The appearance of the devil's tooth fungus is often an indicator of an old, species-rich forest. Its presence or absence can provide valuable information about the health of a forest ecosystem. The fungus is known to be "pushy" and frequently grows in large groupings, even onto or on top of each other. It grows across leaves, sticks, and most debris it encounters, persisting for months without being hindered by grass or twigs. While the devil's tooth fungus is not classified as poisonous, it has a bitter taste and is generally considered inedible. However, it can be dried out and used as a natural dye, and its potential medicinal properties are also being explored.
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Bleeding tooth fungus: What causes the 'bleeding'?
The Devil's Tooth fungus, also known as the Bleeding Tooth fungus, is a member of the family Bankeraceae and belongs to the genus Hydnellum. It is characterised by a teeth-like hymenium, rather than gills or pores on the underside of the mushroom cap. These "teeth" cover the cap's underside and are specialised structures used to produce spores. The fungus is native to the Pacific Northwest and is found in forested, often mountainous, areas in North America, Europe, Iran, and South Korea.
The bleeding appearance of the Devil's Tooth fungus is caused by the expulsion of a pigmented sap due to increased water absorption and pressure within the mushroom. This process is similar to transpiration in plants, where excess water is moved and forced out through special glands. The sap of the Devil's Tooth mushroom contains a chemical compound called atromentin, which has anticoagulant properties commonly used to prevent blood clots from forming.
The bleeding aspect of the Devil's Tooth fungus is most prominent when the mushroom is young and actively growing. During this stage, the whitish mushroom appears to bleed from its pores, earning it names such as "bleeding Hydnellum", "red-juice tooth", and "bleeding tooth fungus". The adult mushroom, on the other hand, is beige and rather dull in appearance.
The Devil's Tooth fungus has a symbiotic relationship with the coniferous trees among whose roots it is located. It receives carbon dioxide from the host tree, while the host benefits from improved nutrient absorption as the fungus converts amino acids and minerals into usable forms. The fruit bodies of the Devil's Tooth fungus are also prized by mushroom dyers for their ability to produce various colours.
While the Devil's Tooth fungus is not classified as poisonous, it is known to have a bitter taste and is considered unpalatable. Its unusual appearance and potential medical applications have made it a fascinating subject for those interested in the odd and unusual aspects of nature.
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Habitat and distribution
Devil's Tooth, also known as the Bleeding Tooth fungus, is a member of the family Bankeraceae and belongs to the genus Hydnellum. It was first identified by American mycologist Howard James Banker in 1913. The fungus is native to the Pacific Northwest and is found in forested, often mountainous, areas in North America, Europe, Iran, and South Korea. The fungus has a symbiotic relationship with coniferous trees, particularly Douglas-fir, fir, and hemlock, and is often found among their roots.
The presence of Devil's Tooth is an indicator of an old, species-rich forest. Its existence can provide valuable information about the health of a forest ecosystem. The fungus is widespread in Europe, with documented presence in Italy, Germany, and Scotland. However, it is becoming increasingly rare in several European countries, possibly due to pollution and nitrogen deposits affecting its habitat.
Devil's Tooth has a distinctive appearance, with small tooth-like projections underneath the mushroom cap, where its spores are produced. When young, the mushroom's surface is covered in soft "hairs" that give it a velvety texture, but these fall off as the mushroom matures. The whitish young mushrooms appear to bleed from their pores, inspiring some of its colourful names. This "bleeding" is caused by the excess absorption of water, which increases pressure within the mushroom, eventually squeezing out the pigment-tinted sap.
The sap of the Devil's Tooth mushroom contains a chemical compound called atromentin, which has anticoagulant properties and is commonly used to prevent blood clots. While the fungus is not poisonous, it has a bitter taste and is not recommended for consumption. The fruit bodies of Devil's Tooth are prized by mushroom dyers, who use them to create natural dyes.
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Medicinal uses
Devil's Tooth Mushroom, also known as Hydnellum peckii, is a fungus in the genus Hydnellum of the family Bankeraceae. It is commonly known as the “bleeding tooth fungus” due to its distinctive appearance—it “bleeds” a red or pink sap as it grows, giving it a rather macabre aesthetic.
While the mushroom is not poisonous, its bitter taste makes it unpalatable for consumption. However, it does have potential medicinal uses. Here are some of the medicinal applications of the Devil's Tooth Mushroom:
- Anticoagulant Properties: The sap of the Devil's Tooth Mushroom contains a chemical compound called atromentin, which has anticoagulant properties. This means it can help prevent blood clots from forming. This attribute makes it a potentially valuable natural anticoagulant.
- Antibiotic Potential: In addition to its anticoagulant properties, the presence of atromentin in the mushroom also lends it antibiotic potential. This characteristic could be explored for medicinal use, particularly in the development of new antibiotics.
- Natural Dye: While not directly medicinal, the mushroom can be dried and used as a natural dye. This dye can be used to colour textiles and other materials, offering an eco-friendly and natural alternative to synthetic dyes.
- Ecosystem Health Indicator: The presence or absence of the Devil's Tooth Mushroom in old, species-rich forests can provide valuable information about the health of the forest ecosystem. Its distribution and abundance can be indicative of the ecological well-being of these forests, particularly in relation to pollution levels and habitat degradation.
It is important to note that while the Devil's Tooth Mushroom has potential medicinal properties, further research and scientific studies are likely needed to fully understand and harness these properties for therapeutic use. Additionally, as with any wild mushroom, proper identification is crucial to avoid accidental ingestion of toxic species.
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Edibility
Devil's Tooth (Hydnellum peckii) is not classified as poisonous. However, it is incredibly bitter, and eating it is not recommended. Its sap contains a chemical compound called atromentin, which has anticoagulant properties and is used to prevent blood clots from forming. The mushroom also has potential antibiotic properties.
Devil's Tooth mushrooms are characterised by a teeth-like hymenium, rather than gills or pores on the underside of the mushroom cap. These "teeth" cover the cap's underside and are specialised structures used to produce spores. The young mushrooms have a whitish colour and a velvety texture due to the soft "hairs" that cover their surface. As the mushroom matures, these "hairs" fall off, and the colour changes to beige, pink, or sometimes blue.
The Devil's Tooth fungus is a member of the family Bankeraceae and belongs to the genus Hydnellum. It was first scientifically described by American mycologist Howard James Banker in 1913. The unusual appearance of the young fruit bodies has earned the species several descriptive common names, including Strawberries and Cream, Bleeding Hydnellum, Red-juice Tooth, Peck's Hydnum, and Bleeding Tooth Fungus.
The fruit bodies of this and other Hydnellum species are prized by mushroom dyers. The fungus can be dried out and used as a natural dye. Devil's Tooth is commonly found in old, species-rich forests in North America, Europe, Iran, and South Korea. It has been documented in Italy, Germany, Scotland, and the Puget Sound area of Washington state in the U.S., where it is associated with Douglas-fir, fir, and hemlock. The species is becoming increasingly rare in several European countries, possibly due to pollution and nitrogen deposits affecting its habitat.
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Frequently asked questions
Scientifically known as Hydnellum peckii, the Devil's Tooth Mushroom is a fungus that appears to ""bleed"" as it grows, releasing a type of sap. Its bright crimson red droplets have earned it several descriptive common names, including Strawberries and Cream, Bleeding Hydnellum, Red-juice tooth, Peck’s hydnum, and Bleeding tooth fungus.
The Devil's Tooth Mushroom is primarily found in forested, often mountainous, areas in North America, Europe, Iran, and South Korea. In the United States, it is most commonly found in the Pacific Northwest, but its range extends from Alaska to North Carolina.
The Devil's Tooth Mushroom has a distinctive appearance, with small tooth-like projections underneath the mushroom cap, where its spores are produced. When young, the mushroom's surface is covered in soft "hairs" that can give it a velvety texture, but these fall off as the mushroom matures.
The Devil's Tooth Mushroom has been used by natural dyers, who dry it and use it to create beige, blue, or green dyes. It also contains a chemical compound called atromentin, which has anticoagulant and antibacterial properties, making it potentially useful in medicines.
