Species details
Jelly tooth
Pseudohydnum gelatinosum
Traditionally edible
Photo: Holger Krisp · CC BY 3.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A small shell- to fan-shaped fungus with watery translucent jelly-like flesh and fine teeth on the underside.
Identification features
The cap is whitish to brownish and may be nearly stemless; densely packed soft grey-white teeth hang downward.
Identification checklist
Check the entire fruitbody for identification. A small shell- to fan-shaped fungus with watery translucent jelly-like flesh and fine teeth on the underside. The cap is whitish to brownish and may be nearly stemless; densely packed soft grey-white teeth hang downward. Typical habitat: On decaying wood, especially conifers, on stumps and fallen logs in damp woodland.
Detailed features
- Cap
- A small shell- to fan-shaped fungus with watery translucent gelatinous flesh and fine spines on the underside.
- Hymenophore
- The cap is whitish to brownish and may be almost stemless; dense, soft grey-white spines hang downward.
- Flesh
- Translucent, watery and distinctly gelatinous.
- Smell
- Mild, sometimes reminiscent of decaying wood.
- Spore print
- White.
Size
- Cap diameter
- 3–6 cm
Habitat
On decaying wood, especially conifers, on stumps and fallen logs in damp woodland.
Fruiting period
August, September, October, November
Ecology
- Trophic mode
- Saprotrophic
- Substrate
- Dead wood
- Notes
- Saprotrophic species. On decaying wood, especially conifers, on stumps and fallen logs in damp woodland.
How to separate similar species
Compare especially with these similar species: Tremella species, Exidia species, other jelly fungi. Check the entire fruitbody, spore-bearing surface, stem, texture, changes after bruising and habitat. A single feature or photograph is not enough for reliable identification.
Similar species
- Tremella species
Tremella species are also gelatinous but lack the densely toothed underside of Pseudohydnum.
- Exidia species
- other jelly fungi
Interesting facts
Did you know? Gelatinous flesh combined with fine teeth on the underside is an unusual and distinctive combination.