Hydnaceous fungi are a group of basidiomycetes with spines or teeth on the lower surface of their fruiting body. Like polypores and gilled mushrooms, they are a morphological group only, and not a group based on common ancestry. The term hydnaceous refers to the genus Hydnum, which historically included many hydnaceous fungi.
Most hydnaceous fungi belong to two groups:
- Mushroom-type fruiting bodies with a stalk growing on soil. These species are ectomycorrhizal. Most species of this type belong to the orders Thelephorales (e.g. Phellodon, Sarcodon) and Cantharellales (Hydnum).
- Wood-inhabiting species with polypore-like, often effused fruiting bodies. These are important part of wood-decay communities. Large genera include Hyphodontia (Hymenochaetales), Stecchericium (Russulales) and Steccherinum (Polyporales). Members of this group are often also considered corticioid fungi.
However, there are also species with effused, polypore-like fruiting bodies that are mycorrhizal (Sistotrema muscicola)[1] and wood-rotting species with a stipe (Mycorrhaphium adustum). Species of Hericium have showy, coralloid fruiting bodies with long spines.
Uses
editMany species of Hydnum are edible. Some species of Hydnellum, Phellodon and Sarcodon are used for dyeing textiles and produce green and brown colors.
References
edit- ^ Nilsson RH et al. (2006) Fruiting body-guided molecular identification of root-tip mantle mycelia provides strong indications of ectomycorrhizal associations in two species of Sistotrema (Basidiomycota). Mycological Research 110: 1426-1432.