Species details

Bleeding tooth fungus

Hydnellum peckii

Inedible
Bleeding tooth fungus – Hydnellum peckii

Photo: Anneli Salo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · License

Description

An unusual whitish tooth fungus whose young fresh fruitbodies often exude blood-red droplets.

Identification features

The young cap is white and velvety, later pink to dark brown. The underside has dense short teeth. The flesh is corky and may release liquid when pressed.

Identification checklist

Key features are the toothed fertile surface, young white velvety cap, and red droplets. Older specimens may lack droplets.

Detailed features

Cap
The young cap is white and velvety, later pink to dark brown.
Hymenophore
The underside has dense short teeth.
Stem
The flesh is corky and may release liquid when pressed.
Smell
No distinctive smell.
Spore print
Brown.

Size

Cap diameter
2–6 cm
Stem height
1–4 cm
Stem diameter
0,5–2 cm

Habitat

Grows in coniferous woodland, especially with pine and spruce, from late summer to autumn.

Fruiting period

August, September, October

Ecology

Trophic mode
Mycorrhizal
Host trees
Pine (Pinus), Spruce (Picea)
Substrate
Forest soil
Notes
Grows in coniferous woodland, especially with pine and spruce, from late summer to autumn.

How to separate similar species

Hydnellum ferrugineum can also exude reddish liquid, so compare colour, cap surface, and additional characters.

Similar species

  • Hydnellum ferrugineum
  • Hydnellum species

Interesting facts

Did you know? Key features are the toothed fertile surface, young white velvety cap, and red droplets. Older specimens may lack droplets.

Extended-description sources