Coral tooth  (Hericium coralloides)

The coral tooth fungus has been described as our most beautiful species of fungus (2). It is a member of the group called 'tooth fungi', because their fruit bodies produce tooth-like spines (6). These spines serve the same function (producing spores) as the more familiar gills found on mushrooms (2). This species is pale whitish in colour, and has branches from which long, fine spines hang down like icicles (7). When young, the species has a more 'knobbly' appearance and is said to resemble a coral (2).

WARNING: many species of fungus are poisonous or contain chemicals that can cause sickness. Never pick and eat any species of fungus that you cannot positively recognise or are unsure about. Some species are deadly poisonous and can cause death within a few hours if swallowed.