Description
Gidnellum Peck was named after the writer and explorer Charles Peck, who first described his find in the middle of the 19th century. The mushroom cannot be completely excluded from the category of useful and edible, since it is not toxic. The main feature of gidnellum is its appearance. On the territory of Alaska and North America, the locals nicknamed him "bleeding mushroom", in Norway - "bloody tooth".
In Russia, this representative of the mushroom kingdom is extremely rare, only a few managed to find it on the high peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. Latin and international name - Hydnellum peckii. You can also find other nicknames:
- Killer Mushroom;
- Pretty mushroom;
- Cake;
- Devil's hedgehog.
Hat
The surface of the cap resembles the shape of a shell. Many experts compare it to gills or rotting fruit. This is understandable, since in adulthood, the Killer Mushroom looks frightening. The hat is very difficult to confuse with other types, because during the ripening period, "red juice" begins to ooze from it. Large drops on the white spongy surface indicate that the fungus belongs to the Banker family.
Hymenophore
The hymenophore is difficult to identify, since most of the fungus is occupied by a bright cap. However, if you look closely, then a scaly formation begins on the inside of the cap. It is this that is the hymenophore. In a young mushroom, it is soft, pronounced, white and has small scales. They can be compared to the bristles of the human tongue. During the ripening period, they increase in size and darken.
Pulp
The creamy pulp has a cork structure. If you cut the mushroom in half, it will pour out red juice, which is in the small hollow holes.
Leg
Gidnellum was nicknamed the "Bloody Tooth" for a reason. The name is fully consistent with the species, since the leg of the fungus resembles the root of an adult tooth. Throughout its life, it barely reaches 3 cm in length. Most of it is in the soil.
Description
The inedible mushroom bloody tooth or gidnellum Peck (Hydnellum peckii) is also known under the names bloody mushroom, devil's mane, bleeding tooth. It is characterized by the following species differences:
- a cap of irregular shape with an uneven tuberous, flat or depressed velvety surface, up to 10 cm in diameter. The light, pinkish-cream color turns brownish, reddish-brown as it ripens, sometimes acquires a bluish tint. On the surface of young specimens, thick drops of blood-red exudate appear, seeping through small pores. This liquid serves as a bait for insects, which, getting stuck in it, provide the amazing mushroom with additional organic nutrition;
- the spore-bearing surface on the underside of the cap is dotted with smoothed spines up to 3-4 mm in length. At first they are light, later brownish, often with a lilac tint;
- spores are brownish;
- the leg is short, up to 6 cm long, conical or fusiform, colored in the color of the cap;
- dense cork pulp, light, brownish with yellowish veins, noticeably darker in the stem. Has a very bitter taste.
External description
The fruiting body of rusty hydnellum is hat-stem.
Hat. The diameter of the cap is 5-10 cm. In young specimens, it has a clavate shape, in mature mushrooms it becomes reverse conical (it is funnel-shaped or flat in some specimens).
The surface is velvety, with many irregularities, often covered with wrinkles, whitish in young mushrooms. Gradually, the surface of the cap becomes rusty brown or pale chocolate. Purple droplets of a protruding liquid are clearly visible on it, which dries up and leaves brown spots on the cap of the fruiting body.
The edges of the cap are even, white, and brown with age.The mushroom pulp is two-layer, near the surface it is felt and loose. It is best developed near the base of the leg, and in this area it has a lighter color. In the center of the cap of rusty hydnellum, the texture of the tissues is leathery, cross-zoned, fibrous, rusty-brown or chocolate shade.
During growth, the fruiting body of the fungus, as it were, "flows around" the obstacles encountered, for example, twigs.
Hymenophore characteristics. Spiny hymenophore, consisting of spines descending slightly down the pedicle. at first they are white, gradually becoming chocolate or brown. They are 3-4 mm long, very brittle.
Spines near:
Leg. The height of the leg of gidnellum rust is 5 cm. It itself is completely covered with a rusty-brown soft cloth, has a felt structure.
Microscopic signs. Thin-walled hyphae have slightly thickened walls, do not contain buckles, but there are septa. Their diameter is 3-5 microns, there is a minimum color. Near the surface of the cap one can see a large accumulation of brownish-red hyphae with blunt ends. Rounded warty spores are characterized by a slightly yellowish color and 4.5-6.5 * 4.5-5.5 microns in size.
Similarities to other mushrooms
Despite the fact that this species is very rare, there are similar specimens among the genus, which are also inedible and poisonous. As an example, Guindellum blue can be distinguished - it is often found in the northern part of Europe. She prefers sunny places. Unlike Peki, blue brethren live in small groups. To get acquainted with this view in detail, it is worth taking a look at the photo.
Hydnellum blue
The second representative, which can be attributed to the ranks of "doubles", is Gidnellum odorous. The mushroom is inedible and even dangerous. Small thorns appear on the lower part of it in adulthood, so it is very similar to the Peck. The main difference is the unpleasant smell of the pulp. It is very easy to confuse it with Pek, as the species prefers coniferous and spruce areas.
Hydnellum odorous
Miracle Mushroom - Hydnellum Peka
Good afternoon friends!
Summer is not only about beaches, picnics and carefree holidays at seaside resorts. Many of us prefer to spend the summer months away from the bustle of the city, retiring in a cozy country house.
And, of course, an essential attribute of summer cottages is hiking in the nearby forest for mushrooms.
Experienced mushroom pickers, of course, can accurately distinguish a false mushroom from an edible one, but even they sometimes come across specimens that make them freeze in bewilderment.
In recent years, in the forests of our latitudes, it has become increasingly common to find a very unusual mushroom bearing an equally unusual name - Bloody Tooth, in Latin Gidnellum Peka.
Where did the Bloody Tooth come from in our forests?
In general, for our country it is a completely new mushroom. It is widespread in North America, found in Europe and Australia, but mushroom pickers began to find it in the forests near St. Petersburg, Irkutsk, Samara, Tyumen, Tomsk, in Buryatia.
It grows mainly in autumn, but even in summer you can find single specimens of this plant.
Scientists believe that the climate change is to blame - the populations of some plants are declining, new species appear for this area.
Perhaps, soon the Bloody Tooth will be quite an ordinary mushroom for us, along with honey mushrooms or fly agaric!
It is surprising that this mushroom, which is very common in the world, is still not well understood.
For the first time its description appeared only in 1913, and it received its official name Gidnellum Peck after the famous American mycologist and botanist Charles Horton Peck.
A bright spot in a coniferous forest
Seeing this miracle mushroom, you will immediately recognize it. Bloody Tooth is difficult to confuse with other plants:
- Outwardly, this mushroom resembles a shapeless white mass with multiple red blotches.
- The hat is 5-10 m in diameter and has a velvety porous surface that is very pleasant to the touch. The leg is small - only about 3 cm.
- Blood-red fluid protrudes from numerous pores. Outwardly, it may seem that the mushroom is splattered with strawberry syrup. By the way, this illusion is enhanced by the pleasant berry aroma exuded by the mushroom. Although many associate these drops with droplets of blood, and the white body of the fungus very much resembles a tooth, hence the unspoken name - Bloody Tooth.
It is noteworthy that these unusual mushrooms can feed not only by absorbing nutrients from the soil, but also extracting them from insects attracted by the bright red aromatic liquid.
Flies, ants or bugs, hitting the surface of the mushroom, stick to the scarlet drops and fall into a deadly trap.
In fact, among the people there are many names for this amazing mushroom, the most common of which are "Strawberry with Cream" and "Devil's Tooth".
It is easy to guess that all of them, in one way or another, owe their origin to the unusual appearance of the plant.
The use of the Bloody Tooth in science, its properties
Despite its pleasant scent, Bleeding Tooth is an inedible mushroom. In some sources, you can find information that it is poisonous, but this is not the case.
They cannot be poisoned, especially since you are unlikely to want to eat it - the bitter taste completely discourages the desire to eat this fake dessert.
Nevertheless, scientists have established for certain that the purple-red secret contains a substance called atromentin, an analogue of heparin, which, by the way, is used in pharmacology for the production of drugs that help thin the blood (preventing the formation of blood clots and too rapid clotting).
In addition, the same scarlet liquid is used in the chemical industry for the manufacture of natural dyes - the shade of the pigment can be beige, yellow, red, brown, greenish and even blue.
Someone Bloody Tooth mushroom evokes unpleasant associations associated with the disgusting sight of blood, someone, looking at him, is touched, presenting a delicious and aromatic dessert.
In this, Gidnellum Peka is very similar to the flower called the Chinese Mouse. But, as you know, how many people, so many opinions, so we will give you the opportunity to see a photo of this unusual mushroom and decide for yourself whether you like it or plunge you into horror.
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Mushroom Bloody Tooth
A mysterious and unique representative of the mushroom kingdom is the Bloody Tooth mushroom, which got its name from its unusual appearance. It was first written about it in 1913, although it was discovered much earlier, back in 1812. Interestingly, scientists have not yet fully studied its properties.
Appearance (description)
Some representatives of nature on our planet surprise and horrify. These include the extraordinary mushroom "bloody tooth". It is found in coniferous forests in the European and North American territory.
It's hard not to pay attention to this mushroom, because its bright color immediately attracts the eye.
The name "Gidnellum Peck" was given after the name of the mycologist from the USA Peck, who first discovered this species. The size of the mushroom is average, the cap is slightly more than 5 cm in diameter, similar to chewed gum with a delicate strawberry smell, the leg is about 2 cm high. On the surface of the cap, bright blood drops appear, as if it is stained with the blood of a wounded animal. This red liquid is produced by the fungus itself through the pores. "Hydnellum peckii" is somewhat similar to boletus with wedge or currant juice spilled on it. The body is white, velvety, turns brown with aging.
The main characteristic of the "bloody tooth" is the absorption of water from the soil and feeding on small insects that accidentally fall into it. The word "tooth" appeared in the title for a reason. When "Hydnelum Peka" grows, pointed formations appear along its edges.
Edible or not?
"Gidnellum Peka" refers to the order of Agaricales, however, unlike the same champignons, it is not edible. The fruit body does not contain poison, the danger comes only from the pigment in the cap (atromentin). Its toxicity is still being studied and it is not yet known whether it is fatal to humans. The mushroom tastes bitter - it needs it to scare away people and animals.
Where and when does the Bloody Tooth mushroom grow?
As we said above, this mushroom grows in the coniferous forests of Australia, Europe and North America. In the Russian Federation, you can see it extremely rarely and only in the autumn season from September to November. Not so long ago, it was discovered in Iran, North Korea and the Komi Republic.
Mr. Summer resident: the healing properties of a bloody tooth
In the course of the study, scientists found that the mushroom juice contains a substance atromentin, which is a specific anticoagulant. It can be used to prevent blood clots and improve blood clotting. It is also believed that the use of a tincture of alcohol and a bright poisonous liquid of the mushroom helps heal bruises, since the latter has pronounced antibacterial properties.
Some doctors hope that in the near future a drug will be created on the basis of the purple substance, akin to penicillin, which was obtained from the mushroom of the same name.
Similarities with other species
The mushroom has close relatives:
- Rusty Hydnellum (Hydnellum ferrugineum). It can be easily distinguished from a "bloody tooth" with aging, initially a white body with liquid red drops in shade begins to resemble rust.
- Blue Hydnellum (Hydnellum caeruleum). Grows near white mosses in the forests of Northern Europe. On its pulp, the same bloody drops stand out, and it is distinguished by its distinct blue color. With aging, the center of the cap turns brown.
- Odorous Hydnellum (Hydnellum suaveolens). The light fruiting body with blue thorns darkens with aging, has a pungent odor. No red liquid is released.
Mushroom "Bloody Tooth" - the most interesting facts about hydnellum pitch
An interesting representative of the kingdom of mushrooms is the Bloody Tooth mushroom, which got its name due to its unconventional appearance. It was first written about in 1913, although it was found much earlier (1812). But even now it remains a mystery to scientists, since it has not yet been fully investigated.
Synonyms: there are many other names, in some it is associated with berries in sour cream - "strawberries and cream", a mushroom on which raspberry syrup was poured, "a tooth with red juice", and to some it resembles a gum with a berry filling , "Devil's tears", devil's mane, bleeding hedgehog, devil's tooth, tooth fungus, the red-juice tooth, devil's tooth. Most commonly referred to as bleeding tooth fungus.
Appearance (description)
With its appearance, a mushroom A bleeding tooth can greatly scare or, conversely, interest, depending on what it will be associated with. By their appearance, individuals not only attract people, but also lure insects, from which a wonderful "dinner" is made. The fruit body is whitish, velvety, but over time it becomes brownish.
Fruit body. Its white (slightly pink) velvet cap has a bizarre shape with small depressions, on which bright red droplets flaunt, passing through the pores. Most people associate them with blood. With age, growths appear along the edges (very similar to teeth). Hence the name Bleeding Tooth.
The cap is whitish-pinkish of irregular shape, usually 5-7 cm in diameter (with the exception of 10 cm). With aging, the cap changes from an attractive whitish and fleshy cork to a red-black and then brown cork.
The leg of this representative is very small - 2 cm (in the form of a cone), whitish (matching the color of the cap), it is almost invisible and, if you look closely, you can see how skillfully it “hid” in the moss or in the ground.
The brown spore powder is on numerous needles on the bottom of the mushroom.
The pulp is white, but darkens with age. Always a little darker closer to the stem.
Smell and taste. The smell is almost imperceptible, although it may seem like it smells like strawberries. Bitter taste. You do not need to try the mushroom, as it is poisonous. Anyone who wants to test how hydnellum pitch mushroom tastes or its red liquid similar to raspberry or strawberry jam will die.
Growth time
It is rare to meet gidnellum pitch or a bleeding mushroom in our area, but it grows in the autumn months from September to November.
Where the Bloody Tooth Mushroom Grows
This mushroom can only be seen in coniferous forests. The countries with the most favorable conditions for its growth are in North America, Australia and central Europe. It is also found in the Pacific Northwest, Korea and Iran. In the CIS countries, it is extremely rare to find a bleeding tooth, although the climate is constantly changing and therefore new types of mushrooms appear where they have never been before, and some, on the contrary, disappear.
Hydnellum pitch prefers sandy soils because they absorb moisture better. Loves "loneliness", because of this, and is found in most cases as a single specimen, although you can also find a small group.
Edibility
Hydnellum pitch is an inedible poisonous fungus. Many consider it extremely poisonous, which can be killed by licking a single red drop. But if the toxicity of a substance in a red liquid is still being studied, then it is already known for sure that the pinkish cap contains poisonous substances and is dangerous to human life.
Healing properties
On the farm, it was once used to create a dye. It also has beneficial properties, namely antibacterial properties. It contains the pigment atromentin, which is highly valued in medicine, as it can cure many people suffering from blood clots. With its help, you can easily avoid the formation of blood clots. But, unfortunately, this mushroom is not yet used in medicine, although they believe that very soon they will receive miraculous drugs, as they previously received the antibiotic penicillin from the fungus Penicillium notatum.
Similarities with other species
Since the bloody tooth fungus differs from all representatives of the mushroom world due to the red liquid, it is very difficult to confuse it with other individuals. Outwardly, it may resemble milk mushrooms.
