''Climacodon septentrionalis'', commonly known as the northern tooth fungus or the white rot fungus, is a species of shelf fungus in the phylum ''

Basidiomycota Basidiomycota () is one of two large divisions that, together with the Ascomycota, constitute the subkingdom Dikarya (often referred to as the "higher fungi") within the kingdom Fungi. Members are known as basidiomycetes. More specifically, Basi ...

''. It is white in color and can be found in large clusters on the trunks of trees. This species is a plant pathogen native to North America.

Taxonomy

''C. septentrionalis'' was originally described by

Elias Magnus Fries Elias Magnus Fries (15 August 1794 – 8 February 1878) was a Swedish mycologist and botanist. Career Fries was born at Femsjö (Hylte Municipality), Småland, the son of the pastor there. He attended school in Växjö. He acquired ...

in 1821 under the genus '' Hydnum''. It was later transferred to ''

Climacodon ''Climacodon'' is a widespread genus of tooth fungi in the family Phanerochaetaceae. Taxonomy The genus was circumscribed by Finnish mycologist Petter Karsten in 1881 with ''Climacodon septentrionalis'' as the type species. This fungus was orig ...

'' in 1881 by

Petter Karsten Petter Adolf Karsten (16 February 1834 – 22 March 1917) was a Finnish mycologist, the foremost expert on the fungi of Finland in his day, and known in consequence as the "father of Finnish mycology". Karsten was born in Merimasku near Turku, s ...

Description

Individual caps are semicircular or kidney-shaped and can reach up to 30 cm across and 2.5-5.0 cm at the base. They typically occur in large groups that can reach 80 cm in height. Young caps range from mostly white to a yellow-cream color, and slowly become a yellow-brown as they age. Although, the caps tend to persist for multiple weeks, allowing algae to grow, giving them a slightly green appearance. The surface of the cap can be rough or even hairy, and can have concentric rings radiating out from the base. The underside of the cap has many white spines (see left) that reach 1 cm in length and also yellow with age. ''C. septentrionalis'' is edible but not palatable due to its tough flesh and bitter taste. They can be found in the summer months and are a common cause of heart rot in hardwood trees in their native range.

Habitat and Distribution

This species is native to northeastern North America, ranging from southern Canada to Kentucky, and as far west as the

Great Plains The Great Plains (french: Grandes Plaines), sometimes simply "the Plains", is a broad expanse of flatland in North America. It is located west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains, much of it covered in prairie, steppe, an ...

. ''C. septentrionalis'' is found on the trunks of living and recently deceased trees, especially

beech Beech (''Fagus'') is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia, and North America. Recent classifications recognize 10 to 13 species in two distinct subgenera, ''Engleriana'' and ''Fagus''. The ''Engle ...

(''Fagus'') and

maple ''Acer'' () is a genus of trees and shrubs commonly known as maples. The genus is placed in the family Sapindaceae.Stevens, P. F. (2001 onwards). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Version 9, June 2008 nd more or less continuously updated since http ...

(''Acer'') species.

Nematode Predation

''C. septentrionalis'' was the first observed species fungus not in the genus '' Agaricus'' to secrete a toxin that it uses to immobilize and kill fungiphagous nematodes. The mycelium of this species grows secretory cells the protrude outwards and develop branches that produce the substance in small droplets. When a nematode comes in contact with a droplet, they become encased in it, and their motion is completely inhibited. Death after contact occurs within several hours, but the rate at which a nematode was decomposed varied greatly, ranging from a few weeks to several days.

Novel Compounds

''C. septentrionalis'' has been found to produce a few different compounds that have potential to be used for a variety of products. Esters are natural or synthetic, fragrant compounds that can be found in perfumes and flavorings, or used in paints, solvents, insecticides, and more. The mycelium of this species produces esters that could be used in perfumes. The compound furaneol is a commonly used in the cooking industry as a flavoring, with different forms having tastes ranging from a strawberry or pineapple to a caramel or honey flavor. The furaneol found in ''C. septentrionalis'' is extracted from its fruiting bodies, and has a strawberry-like flavor and taste.

References

Fungi described in 1821 Fungal plant pathogens and diseases Inedible fungi Phanerochaetaceae Taxa named by Elias Magnus Fries {{Polyporales-stub