Common Edible Mushrooms

Tooth Fungi
GENUS Hydnum
These are less common and abundant than the club fungi, to
which they are related, but some of them are encountered often
enough to merit inclusion here. The two species illustrated (Figures
59 and 60) are so characteristic that they cannot be confused
with other kinds and for this reason should be of interest
and value to the beginner.
Edible: HYDNUM CAPUT-URSI (Bear's Head Fungus)
Figure 59. Hydnum caputursi
(Bear's Head Fungus).
Edible.
The bear's head fungus forms
white clumps from 3 to 6 inches or
more in diameter, made up of hundreds
of tapering teeth, each tooth
being from 2 to 4 inches long.
We have found only a few of
these rarely beautiful plants, but in
some years and in some places they
are fairly common, inhabiting hardwood
forests throughout most of
the United States. This species
probably causes some decay in living
trees (the photographed specimen
was found on a felled oak tree,
but its beauty and edibility atone
for any damage it: may do.
Edible: HYDNUM CORALLOIDES (Coral Fungus)
The coral fungus grows as hemispherical clumps that may be a
foot across but are ordinarily from 4 to 8 inches wide. The fruit
body originates from a single stem, which branches repeatedly.
98