Finnish: Koralliorakas
Swedish: Koralltaggsvamp
Norwegian: Korallpiggsopp
German: Ästiger Stachelbart, Buchenstachelbart
English Syn.: Coral tooth fungus
Scie. Syn.: HERICIUM RAMOSUM
fruiting body: 4 – 25 cm
months: August – October
colours: white
characteristic: consists of fine coral like branches
habitat: deciduous trees, beech
taste: mild
smell: pleasant
Description
Like all species from the genus Herecium, the coral tooth (Herecium coralloides) is a decomposer, growing on dead wood. It often occurs in large masses on tree trunks of deciduous trees like beech. In principle it is edible, but not special in terms of taste.
However, in Chinese and Japanese medicine, it is considered a medicinal mushroom and is used in therapy for stomach ailments, heartburn, nerve diseases and even various forms of cancer.
Lookalikes
Hericium erinaceus (Bearded tooth)
Hericium cirrhatum (Tiered tooth)
Climacodon septentrionalis (Northern tooth)
Notes
Notes for cooking: Corall tooths can be cultivated and considered very rare in the wild. In some countries they are protected. They can be cut and fried or prepared in similar ways as the Bearded tooth.
We have compiled this overview with the best of knowledge and belief, but do not claim to be complete and reserve the right to make errors.
Learn more about poisonous mushrooms and mushroom poisons here
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