THE FUNGI WITH TEETH 



437 



Hydnum caput-ursi. Fr. 

 The Bear's Head Hydnum. Edible. 



Caput-ursi means the head of a bear. 



This is a very beautiful plant but not as common as some other species of 

 Hydnum. It grows in very large pendulous tufts, as Figure 365 will indicate. It 

 is found frequently on standing oak and maple trees, sometimes quite high up in 

 the trees. It is more frequently found on logs and stumps, as are its kindred 

 species. The plant arises out of the wood by a single stout stem which branches 

 into many divisions, all of which are covered by long pendant spines. When it 

 grows on top of a log or stump the spines are frequently erect. It is white, 

 becoming in age 

 yellow and 

 brownish. It has 

 a wide distribu- 

 tion through the 

 states. As an es- 

 culent it is fine. 

 The specimen in 

 Figure 365 was 

 found near Ak- 

 ron, Ohio, and 

 was photographed 

 by Mr. G. D.- 

 Smith. I t i s 

 found from July 

 to October. 



Hydum caput- 

 Medusce. Bull. 



t 

 The Medusa's 

 Head Hydnum. 

 Edible. 



Caput-Medusae, 

 head of Medusa. 

 This is a very 

 striking plant 

 when seen in the 

 woods. The tufts 

 are pendulous. 



Figure 366. Hydnum caput-Medusse. One-third natural size. 



