Velvet
Tooth (Hydnellum spongiosipes)
H. spongiosipes (Thelephorales:
Bankeraceae) is an uncommon stipitate hydnoid fungus. These are a group of ‘tooth
fungi’ [fungi that release their spores from tooth-like structures], which have
a short stalk or 'stipe', hence the name 'stipitate'.
Stipitate
hydnoid fungi are ectomycorrhizal; forming close symbiotic relationships with
trees and deriving some of their nutrients from the tree's roots. This aids
them in obtaining nutrients where soil quality is poor and means they are always
found in association with trees. H.
spongiosipes is typically associated with oak, sweet chestnut and, less
frequently, beech; this provides a useful, but not necessarily accurate way of
distinguishing between this species and H.
ferrugineum, which occurs mainly under pine.
References:
Ainsworth,
A.M., Parfitt, D., Rogers, H.J. and Boddy, L. (2010). Cryptic taxa within
European species of Hydnellum and Phellodon revealed by combined molecular
and morphological analysis. Fungal
Ecology, 3(2), pp. 65-80.
Dickson,
G. (2000). A field key to British non-resupinate hydnoid fungi. Field Mycology, 1(3), pp. 99-104.
Kibby,
G. (2017). Mushrooms and Toadstools of
Great Britain & Europe, Volume 1, pp.40-41.
O’Reilly,
P. (2016). Fascinated by Fungi – exploring the majesty and mystery, facts and
fantasy of the quirkiest kingdom on earth. Llandysul: First Nature, pp.
203-205.
Phillips,
R. (2006). Mushrooms. London: Pan Macmillan, pp. 323-327.
Sterry,
P. and Hughes. B. (2009). Collins Complete Guide to British Mushrooms and
Toadstools. London: HarperCollins, pp. 296-301.
