Specimen #19 Coral Tooth Fungi

Hericium coralloides

Figure 1. Hericium coralloides from above

Figure 2. Hericium coralloides

Figure 3. Individual spine of Hericium coralloides

Figure 4. Hericium coralloides
This picture was borrowed from arkive.org at http://www.arkive.org/coral-tooth/hericium-coralloides/image-A2475.html

Phylum: Basidiomycota
Family: Hericiaceae
Species: Hericum coralloides
Common name: Coral Tooth Fungi
Collection date:10/8/2015
Collector: Caroline Kaylor Georskey
Habitat: This specimen was found growing on hardwood logs at the James H. Barrow Field Station.
Description: This fungi was found growing on hardwood logs at the James H. Barrow Field Station. It is composed of many spines on branches that look similar to icicles (fig. 1 - 4). The spines of this specimen are up to 2 cm in length. The spines produce spores (fig. 3). When first collected, it was white (fig. 4), but slowly turned a darker yellow-gray with time.
Key used: Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms demystified: A comprehensive guide to fleshy fungi (2nd ed.). Berkley: Ten Speed Press.

Key to the Fleshy Fungi
1. Spores produced on mother cells called basidia; fruiting body curiously shaped...

Basidiomycetes
Fruiting body bearing its spores on downward-pointing spines or "teeth"; spines either lining the underside of a cap or suspended like icicles from a cushion of tissue or a branched framework; stalk present or absent; on ground or wood...

Teeth Fungi, p. 611
1. Not as above; not growing on cones; talk if present usually thicker...
2. Not as above...
3. Growing on wood...
4. Fruiting body a branched framework or unbranched cushion of tissue from which spines are suspended (i.e. icicle-like); lacking a distinct cap...

Hericium, p. 613
1. Fruiting body branched, the spines hanging from the branches or branch tips (sometimes scarcely branched and very compact, but if so, then usually growing on conifers)...
2. Growing mainly on hardwoods; fruiting body white when fresh (but may turn yellowish in age); widely distributed...
3. Not as above; spines often long (up to 4 cm), arranged mostly in tufts or clusters, especially at the branch tips; branching open or compact...

Hericium coralloides

For more information on Hericium coralloides please review the following links:
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/hericium_coralloides.html
http://www.arkive.org/coral-tooth/hericium-coralloides/image-A2475.html
http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6106~gid~~source~gallerydefault.asp