Hydnum

''Hydnum'' is a genus of fungi in the family Hydnaceae. They are notable for their unusual spore-bearing structures of teeth rather than gills. The best known are the edible species ''Hydnum repandum'' and '' H. rufescens''. There are no known toxic varieties of ''Hydnum.'' Widely regarded as important maintainers of forest eco systems, the ''Hydnum'' genus is known to have ectomycorrhizal relationships with multiple plant families. ''Hydnum'' has many brittle, white teeth from which the spores drop. Some species have teeth which hang from ascending branches, while other species have teeth which project downwards from the undersurfaces of dead wood. Most ''hydnum'' are safe to eat, and contain many fatty acids and antioxidants.

Taxonomy and diversity

Hydnum are found on every continent that is habitable for plant life, with some preferring deep forest regions. Most of the common forms of hydnum, such as ''h. repandum'' and ''h. rufuscens'' can be located in Europe, East Asia, and Australia.

''Hydnum repandum'' is a common and edible variety of Hydnum. Also called the "hedgehog mushroom", ''h. repandum'' is most often found in Europe, Mexico, and North America. The white or buff ''Hydnum repandum'' has a spore scatterer of still another shape. The smooth cap grows as wide as 8 inches across, and the stem is off-center and is less than 2 inches long. ''H.repandum'' is often confused in looks for its similar tasting cousin, the Chantrelle mushroom. Medicinally, ''h. repandum'' has shown promising signs in blocking cancerous sarcomas in mice.

''Hydnum rufescens'' is another common edible variety of hydnum. Known locally as the terracotta hedgehog mushroom, ''hydrufensces'' can be found in Portugal. It has been found to contain high levels of fatty acids and nutrients essential to the human diet.

''Hydnum minum'' is a new h''ydnum'' variety that was discovered in 2015. First located in Japan, ''Hydnum minum'' is identifiable by a "whitish basidiomata", or its spore-producing structure, and is distinctly its own species.

''Hydnum vesterholtii'' has been newly found in calcium rich areas of the Mediterranean, as well as in the Pyrenees and Italy, and is recognized by a ochre tinted spore cap.

''Hydnum ovoideisporum,'' much like ''hydnum vesterholtii,'' has an orangish colored pilei, or spore cap. It is also found in the Iberian-Mediterranian climate and is fond of calcium rich soils.
*''Hydnum albomagnum''
*''Hydnum crocidens''
*''Hydnum dispersum''
*''Hydnum durieui''
*''Hydnum elatum''
*''Hydnum ellipsosporum''
*''Hydnum investiens''
*''Hydnum magnorufescens''
*''Hydnum minum''
*''Hydnum molluscum''
*''Hydnum oregonense''
*'' Hydnum ovoideisporum''
*''Hydnum papyraceum''
*''Hydnum repandum''
*''Hydnum rufescens''
*''Hydnum umbilicatum''
*''Hydnum vesterholtii''

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q159023

Cantharellales
Agaricomycetes genera