Sarcodon squamosus - Scaly Tooth

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Thelephorales

Family: Bankeraceae

Distinguishing between Sarcodonsquamosus and Sarcodon scabrosus(both now known to occur in Britain) has taxed mycologists for years. Although macroscopically similar, molecular analysis supports the view that these fungi, from which dyes of somewhat different colours can be produced, are indeed separate species. The stem of Scaly Tooth is pale throughout its length, whereas Sarcodon imbricatus has a blue-grey stem base (and the cut flesh inside the stem base is also blue-grey).

Identification guide

	Cap A pale brown background covered with dark purple-brown overlapping scales (erect but not recurved), larger near centre; convex then irregularly flattish with an undulating margin, usually developing a shallow central depression; 6 to 18cm across.
	Spines The fertile undersurface of the cap is covered with spines 4 to 10mm long, white or pale buff, turning purple-brown with age. Just as with most boletes, the fertile layer of Sarcodon fungi can be separated easily from the rest of the cap flesh, which is said to be edible but rather bitter in taste.
Stem	White, becoming brown at maturity; centrally positioned; 4 to 8cm long, 1 to 3cm dia. The stem flesh is white throughout.
Spore print	Brown.
Odour/taste	Odour not significant; taste slightly bitter.
Habitat	Mycorhizal with pines.
Season	June to October.
Occurrence	Frequent in parts of northern Scotland; rarely seen anywhere else in Britain.
Similar species	Sarcodon scabrosus has a steely blue-grey stem base and its cap spines are often noticeably recurved.