Grey tooth

Appearance

Cap diameter: up to 6 cm
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. This area of growth is wider in young specimens; the cap may change as it ages in terms of colour, shape and texture, but confusion can arise as the downy surface of the cap can darken greatly when it rains.

Naming

CZ: Lošáček tmavý
DE: Schwarzweißer Korkstacheling Duftstacheling
NL: Tengere stekelzwam
PL: Korkoząb ciemny
SK: Korkovec tmavý

Synonyms:
≡Hydnum melaleucum
≡Hydnellum melaleucum
=Hydnum graveolens
=Hydnum delicatum
=Phellodon ellisianus
=Phellodon ellisianum
=Hydnum pygmaeum
=Phellodon brunneoolivaceus
=Phellodon brunneoroseus

Distribution

Widespread in Europe and North America. Rather than 'vulnerable', the status of this species is more realistically described as 'local and not uncommon'. It is known from southern England, Scotland, Wales, and western Ireland; it is one of the most widespread of the stipitate hydnoids in England, but seems to be fairly rare in Scotland. In Europe it is rare in Scandinavia but becomes widespread towards the south.

Habitat

This species is associated with a wide range of host trees including oak, sweet chestnut, birch, pine, and spruce. It occurs on sandy soils, typically on bare or mossy ground, and its distribution indicates that it prefers warm areas.