Scientific name: Sarcodontia setosa (Pers.) Donk
Derivation of name: setosa means "bristly."
Synonyms: Hydnum setosum Pers.
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Order: Polyporales
Family: Meruliaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; forming
spreading,
crustlike patches on logs and branches of
deciduous trees,
especially fruit trees such as apple; July
through October.
Dimensions: Fruit bodies 5-20 cm across; spines are 5-10
mm long.
Description: This bright yellow spreading crustlike fungus is
crowded with pendulous, waxy spines. The spines stain
reddish
where bruised and the fungus has a sweet-fruity to
intensely
unpleasant odor.
Edibility: Inedible.
Comments: I have yet to encounter this species in a natural
habitat. It is apparently widely distributed but not common.
![](../images/SARCODONTIA%20SETOSA%20NEMF01.jpg)
Figure 1. This specimen was collected at the 2001 NEMF
foray. The reddish mark in the center may be an example
of the wine-red stain which occurs following bruising.
Photo © Gary Emberger.
![](../images/Sarcodontia%20setosa%20specimen%20GE.jpg)
Figure 2. This specimen was collected from a dead apple
tree in PA and brought to an Eastern Penn
Mushroomers foray. Photo © Gary Emberger.
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![](../images/Sarcodontia%20setosa%20spines%20GE.jpg)
Figure 3. The yellow, pendulous spines can be up to
10 mm long.
Photo © Gary Emberger.
![](../images/Sarcodontia%20setosa%20JP.jpg)
Figure 4. Teeth of Sarcodontia setosa.
Photo © John Plischke III.
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