The Hydnellum peckii, commonly known as the Bleeding Tooth Fungus, is a distinctive organism found across the Northern Hemisphere. Its striking appearance, often featuring a white cap adorned with bright red, liquid droplets, has earned it several descriptive common names, including “strawberries and cream,” “Devil’s tooth,” and “red-juice tooth.” This unique fungus captivates observers with its unusual coloration and texture. This article explores its characteristics, safety, and identification.
Is It Poisonous?
The Bleeding Tooth Fungus, Hydnellum peckii, is not considered poisonous to humans. Despite its alarming appearance, there are no known reports of serious illness resulting from its consumption.
The fungus is inedible due to its extremely bitter taste and tough, fibrous texture. As the National Park Service humorously noted, while it might look like “strawberries and cream,” it “tastes like bitterness and regret.” Its acrid taste persists even in dried specimens, making it undesirable for culinary purposes.
Understanding Its Unique Properties
The striking “bleeding” phenomenon of Hydnellum peckii is a result of a process called guttation, where the fungus expels excess water through its cap pores. This occurs when the surrounding soil is very wet, causing increased pressure within the fungus that forces out the liquid. The red color of these droplets comes from a pigment found within the fungus.
This red liquid contains a chemical compound called atromentin. Atromentin has been studied for its anticoagulant properties, which are similar to those of heparin, a known blood thinner. However, these properties are not significant enough to pose a threat to humans through casual contact or incidental ingestion of small amounts.
Distinguishing the Bleeding Tooth Fungus
Identifying Hydnellum peckii in its natural habitat involves recognizing several key visual characteristics. Young specimens often feature a whitish or pale pink cap that can become slightly brownish with age or bruising. The most distinctive feature is the presence of bright red guttation droplets that emerge from the cap of young, moist fruit bodies.
The underside of the cap is characterized by tooth-like spines, which are specialized structures for spore production, rather than gills or pores. These spines are initially pinkish-white and become grayish-brown as the fungus matures. Hydnellum peckii typically grows on the ground in coniferous forests, often among mosses and pine needle litter, forming a symbiotic relationship with conifer trees. Its overall shape can vary, from somewhat round to irregular, sometimes reaching up to 20 cm wide as individual fruit bodies fuse together.