Habitat
This species grows on both living and dead wood of broad-leaved trees, particularly beech, tanoak, elm, and live oak. It is commonly found on fallen, decaying logs as well as old standing trunks, sometimes appearing within the hollows of trees. It typically occurs in old-growth deciduous woodlands, showing a preference for temperate and subtropical hardwood environments.
Photos
Appearance
- Fruit body
- Coral-like structure, 10-40 cm across, consisting of a complex mass of multiple branching and forking stems from a common base.
- Spines
- Dense rows or clusters of white, pendant, conical needles measuring 0.2-1 cm long, which may turn creamy or brownish with age.
- Stem
- Short and stout at the base, branching repeatedly into thinner stems.
- Flesh
- White to whitish, soft and brittle or thin and somewhat stringy; branches may become hollow over time.
- Spore print
- White.
- Odor and taste
- Pleasant, fragrant, or mild to sweet.
Sporecast is better in the app
Plan ahead with 10-day forecasts, see what people are finding nearby, get photo IDs, and track your finds.
Edibility
This species has a pleasant, mild to sweet taste and soft or slightly rubbery, stringy flesh. Although it is considered good to eat, foraging is discouraged in some regions due to its rarity and protected status. It is unlikely to be confused with anything outside of its own genus, and small pieces can be used as a textural addition to clear soups.
Misidentification can be fatal. Never eat a mushroom unless you're 100% sure. This information may be inaccurate. Always consult multiple sources.
Nutrient Source
SaprotrophicThis mushroom obtains nutrients by breaking down dead or decaying hardwood, contributing to decomposition. It is described as a saprotrophic fungus.
Common Names
- Danish
- Koralpigsvamp
- Dutch
- Kammetjesstekelzwam
- English
- Coral Tooth Fungus, Coral Tooth
- Finnish
- koralliorakas
- German
- Ästiger Stachelbart
- Norwegian Bokmål
- korallpiggsopp
- Norwegian Nynorsk
- korallpiggsopp
- Swedish
- koralltaggsvamp
- Welsh
- Pigau Cwrel
Synonyms
- Clavaria madreporaeformis
- Dryodon acicularis
- Dryodon caput-ursi
- Dryodon caput-ursi
- Dryodon coralloides
- Dryodon coralloides
- Friesites caput-ursi
- Friesites coralloides
- Hericium abietinum
- Hericium caput-ursi
- Hericium caput-ursi
- Hericium laciniatum
- Hericium ramosum
- Hericium ramosus
- Hericium reichii
- Hericium stalactiticum
- Hydnum abietinum
- Hydnum aciculare
- Hydnum caput-ursi
- Hydnum coralloides
- Hydnum coralloides
- Hydnum laciniatum
- Hydnum mycoides
- Hydnum novae-zelandiae
- Hydnum ramosum
- Hydnum ramosum
- Hydnum reichii
- Hydnum stalactiticum
- Manina caput-ursi
- Manina coralloides
- Medusina coralloides
- Merisma coralloides