Coral tooth  (Hericium coralloides)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Threats

As yet we do not know enough about the ecology of this species to understand why it appears to be so rare (5). Possibly it is because the logs on which it lives rot so rapidly that it is difficult for the fungus to find a continuous supply of suitable dead wood. In many woodlands, particularly where they are commercially managed, fallen dead wood is removed (7).

Conservation

Although this species is possibly one of our most endangered fungi, it has not been incorporated into the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as a priority species (2). As is the case with most of our threatened fungi, we must discover more about the ecology of this species if we are to be in a position to conserve it (2).

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.
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