Pseudohydnum gelatinosum

Scientific namePseudohydnum gelatinosum (Scop.) P.
Karst.  
Derivation of name:  Gelatinosum means "jelly-like."
SynonymsTremellodon gelatinosum (Scop.) Pers.  
Common name(s):  Jelly tooth; Jelly tongue; Jelly hedgehog;
Jelly false tooth.
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Tremellales
Family:   Exidiaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate:  Saprobic; solitary,
scattered or grouped on decayed conifer logs and stumps,
especially hemlock (Tsuga canadensis); September through
November.  
Dimensions: Fruit bodies 2.5-7.5 cm wide; stipes (if present)
up to 5 cm long, lateral to central when growing on a
horizontal surface.   
Description: Upper surface is whitish to grayish or brownish
and minutely velvety to smooth. The entire fruit body feels
rubbery-gelatinous and appears somewhat translucent. The
fertile undersurface is covered with soft, pendulous, whitish
spines.    
Edibility: Edible but bland.
Comments:
  This is the only toothed jelly fungus.

More information at MushroomExpert.com

    

Figure 1. Pseudohydnum gelatinosum on a decaying
hemlock log. Photo © Gary Emberger.


Figure 2. Scattered specimens on a decaying log.
Photo © William Roody.


Figure 3. Flipping the specimens over reveals surfaces
covered by soft, whitish teeth. Photo © Gary Emberger.


Figure 4. The soft, translucent, pendulous spines are a
striking feature of this species. Photo © Gary Emberger.

 

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