The world of wild mushrooms is full of wonders. Some look innocent but are actually poisonous if you eat them. Others look very sinister, even though they are completely harmless. And then there is Hydnellum peckii, or, as it is known locally, bleeding tooth fungus.
It is not the only name of this strange mushroom. Some call it “the devil’s blow, h” while others know it by the benign name “strawberry and cream”. We prefer this family because it aptly describes this unusual fungus without all the bombastic effects of weird names. So what is a bleeding gum disease? What do you need to know about it? And how should you deal with it if you come across it in the woods?
One of the most distinguishing features of bleeding tooth fungus, for which it is named, is the fact that it has tooth-like protrusions. Most other fungi have gills or tubes that they use to grow and spread their spores. In this fungus, these tubes are shaped like teeth. They hang from the mushroom’s cap making it look like a toothed monster.
They mainly grow in forest habitats. They develop a symbiotic relationship with other nearby trees, especially oaks, pines, and birch trees. They usually bear fruit around August to October every year. Fruit usually forms in the soil rather than in dead wood, as is the case with other fungi.
Mushrooms prefer loose and sandy soil. So you’ll often find them near banks, in quarries, borrow pits, and on railroad tracks. They do not grow well in an area covered with other vegetation. This is why they do not spread easily on a large scale. Usually they continue to grow the same. Their only method of spread is by moving the roots from one plant to another, which can take years.
Bleeding root fungus also needs special soil. The soil should be well drained but have a higher than normal moisture content. This is why they prefer to grow near bodies of water or where tree branches create a closed habitat that prevents ventilation. Another unusual feature of this fungus is that it does not need nitrogen in the soil to grow and bear fruit. In fact, the lack of nitrogen will give the fruits their abundant appearance. Usually, old growing mushrooms will produce fruit, although sometimes new mushrooms can produce small fruits.
