This weird fungus has many descriptive names: strawberries and cream, the bleeding tooth fungus, the red-juice tooth and the Devil’s tooth. These names comes from it’s behaviour. In damp conditions, it exudes bright red droplets on its surface.
It forms ectomycorrhizal relationships with conifer roots. It’s found mainly in North America and Europe. It’s not poisonous, but not edible either — it tastes very bitter. It has been used in natural dyeing.
This fungus produces atromentin, a compound with blood-thinning and antibacterial properties. Its cap is young and velvety, with a pale brown flesh and brown spore print, and the underside is covered in short, dense spines.
When I first saw this fungus a few years ago, I was truly amazed. I had never seen anything so extraordinary. Often this fungus is pale or brown, without those droplets. Then it is easily overlooked. So you have probably come across this fungus too, even if you haven’t seen it in this dripping outfit.
You are reading the Wildest Treasures section — a quiet corner of the Grow Wild in Forest Soil.
A Very mysterious looking mushroom, and that name🧐😳
From today’s walk, where I also was so lucky to meet some children playing outside in the sunshine.