Hydnellum compactum

Hydnellum compactum
Hydnellum compactum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Thelephorales
Family: Bankeraceae
Genus: Hydnellum
Species:
H. compactum
Binomial name
Hydnellum compactum
(Pers.) P.Karst. (1879)
Synonyms[2]

Hydnellum compactum is a rare tooth fungus in the family Bankeraceae. It is characterised by its astringent taste, yellowish flesh. It is found in Europe, where it grows in deciduous forest, typically under beech. Fruit bodies of the fungus grow singly or in groups.

They are top-shaped, with convex or flattened upper surfaces up to 10 cm (4 in) in diameter. The surface texture is initially felt-like before becoming pitted and rough in age. The stipe, roughly the same color as the cap, is solid and measures 2–4 cm (0.8–1.6 in) long by 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) thick. On the fertile cap underside (the hymenium), there are white to purple-brown, curved spines up to 5 mm long. The color is whitish at first but gradually turns dark brown to blackish. The spores measure 5.5–6 by 3.5–4.5 μm, and feature tubercles that sometimes have a sunken tip.[3]

Hydnellum compactum
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Teeth on hymenium
Cap is convex or flat
Spore print is brown
Ecology is mycorrhizal
Edibility is unknown

Hydnellum compactum is ectomycorrhizal with Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), Common Oak (Q. robur) and Beech (Fagus sylvatica) as well as Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) occasionally. It prefers in nutrient poor, dry to moist, loamy and sandy soils, and sunny, mosaic, old-growth forests. [3]

It is considered endangered is Switzerland, and listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list.[3] It is estimated there are less than 4000 mature individuals of this species left in Europe. Its presence has particularly decreased in the Netherlands.[4] Its main threats are logging, as old-growth forests are decreasing across northern and central Europe. In western Europe, this fungus is mainly threatened by air pollution, such as acidificiation and nitrogen deposition.[3]

  1. ^ Nitare, J. (2015). "Hydnellum compactum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T70408373A70408376. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T70408373A70408376.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference urlFungorum synonymy: Hydnellum compactum was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Ellis 1990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Gulden, G.; Hanssen, E. W. (1992-02-01). "Distribution and ecology of stipitate hydnaceous fungi in Norway, with special reference to the question of decline". Sommerfeltia. 13 (1): 1. doi:10.2478/som-1992-0001.