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Hericium coralloides, commonly known as the Coral Tooth Fungus, is a striking saprotrophic fungus characterized by its intricate, multi-branched structure resembling marine coral. Unlike its cousin Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane), which forms a single clump, H. coralloides develops from a central core into a series of delicate, brittle branches. From the underside of these branches hang rows of short, white spines (0.5–1 cm long), giving the appearance of a comb. The fruiting body typically measures 10–40 cm across and is pure white when fresh, becoming creamy-yellow to brownish with age. The lifecycle begins with the germination of small, white, amyloid spores (3–4 × 2.5–3.5 µm) on dead hardwood. The mycelium aggressively colonizes the wood, causing a white rot by breaking down lignin and cellulose. Ecologically, it serves as a primary decomposer in deciduous forests, recycling nutrients from fallen logs and stumps. It is most frequently found in late summer and autumn, thriving in the humid microclimates of mature woodlands.
Native: North America (widely distributed), Europe (widespread but rare in some areas), Asia (including China, Japan, Russia). Widespread in the Northern Hemisphere. Listed as 'Least Concern' globally, but considered threatened or rare in specific European countries (e.g., Netherlands, Latvia) due to the loss of old-growth hardwood habitats.
No strains cataloged yet for this species.
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