SOME COMMON MUSHROOMS AND HOW TO KNOW THEM 51 



HYDNACEAE (TOOTH FUNGI) 



In the family Hydnaeeae the plants are stipitate, bracket shaped 

 or resupinate, fleshy, corky, leathery, or woody. In Hydnum, the 

 most highly developed genus of this family, the hymenium is dis- 

 tinctly toothlike, but there are many intermediate gradations, from 

 scattered granules or small hemispherical prominences to toothlike 

 developments. In all having teeth, the processes are directed down- 

 ward. 



KEY TO HYDNACEAE 



Hymenium of distinct, awl-shaped teeth or spines, resupinate 



or with central stem : Genus 



Plants fleshy Hydnum. 



Plants woody Echinodontium. 



Hymenium with teeth united (connected at the base by slightly 

 raised folds), plants leathery, teeth not so acute as in 



Hydnum Irpex. 



Hymenium with coarse, blunt tubercles, subcylindrical, re- 

 supinate Radulum. 



HYDNUM 



The species of the genus Hydnum vary greatly as to form, con- 

 sistency, and manner of growth. Certain forms possess well-defined 

 cap and stem, some are bracket shaped or shelving, and still others 

 are resupinate. The teeth are pointed and free from each other at 

 the base. In consistency, species of Hydnum range from soft fleshy 

 to tough. Many are terrestrial in habit, while others grow on living 

 or dead trees. 



HYDNUM CORALLOIDES. CORAL HYDNUM. (EDIBLE) 



This species is easily recognized by the long, interlacing, tapering branches, 

 which are of two kinds : The primary, which are nearly sterile ; and the 

 secondary, which are fertile and chiefly bear the slender terete teeth. The 

 substance is fleshy, brittle to somewhat tough. Hydnum coralloides is one 

 of the most graceful and beautiful species of fungi, and its white, corallike 

 tufts measure from 6 to 18 inches across. It grows on decaying prostrate 

 or standing timber and is found from August until frost. It is edible, but 

 not very abundant or common. 



HYDNUM ERINACEUS. SATYR \S BEARD. (EDIBLE) 



(Fig. 44) 



Hydnum erinaoeus forms pendulous tufts from 2 to 10 inches across. The 

 point of attachment is small and the mass generally projects horizontally from 

 the substratum. The tufts are white, changing to yellowish brown in drying. 

 The individual teeth are crowded, slender, terete, tapering, acute, 1 to 2% 

 inches long. This species is quite conspicuous, growing from crotches or 

 wounds of trees — beech, oak, locust, etc. Growth from the same source may 

 appear year after year. 



CLAVARIACEAE (CORAL FUNGI) 



The common name of the coral fungi was given them on account 

 of their resemblance to coral. They are erect, club-shaped, simple, 

 or branched and vary in size from slender clubs to large, many- 

 branched masses. In many species the color is very beautiful and 

 may be lavender, pink, orange, cream, or white. Certain members 



