Grey tooth  (Phellodon melaleucus)

The grey tooth fungus belongs to a group known as the stipitate hydnoid fungi. These fungi share some morphological characters, but are not naturally related (5). They are 'tooth fungi', fungi that release their spores from tooth-like structures. The fruit bodies are terrestrial and have a short stalk or 'stipe', hence the name 'stipitate' (5). The teeth are on the underside of the fruit body (5). The flesh of all members of the genus Phellodon is tough and somewhat leathery; it becomes 'corky' when it dries (5) and develops a distinct spicy smell (6). The caps may fuse together to form one mass with a number of stipes, and may grow around and even engulf blades of grass and twigs. The outer margin of the fruit body is the area of growth, and is paler in colour than the rest of the cap, which is brown with striations radiating out from the centre (6). This area of growth is wider in young specimens; the cap may change as it ages in terms of colour, shape and texture (5), but confusion can arise as the downy surface of the cap can darken greatly when it rains (6).

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.