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The Fascinating World of Bleeding Tooth Fungus
The bleeding tooth found-in-mars-like-conditions-on-andean-mountain-peaks/” title=”Mysterious mouse mummies found in Mars-like conditions on Andean mountain peaks”>fungus resembles a macabre scene from a forest. Known scientifically as Hydnellum peckii, this peculiar mushroom is also referred to as “devil’s tooth” or the more whimsical “strawberries and cream.” Its distinctive red, sap-like liquid emerges during a process called guttation, where the fungus expels excess moisture from its fruiting body. Interestingly, this vibrant hue can vary.
To delve deeper into these eerie fungi, which even inspired a drug featured in The Penguin, Popular Science consulted mycologist Matt Kasson from West Virginia University.
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An Overview of Hydnellum Peckii
Laura Baisas: Can you share some insights about Hydnellum peckii?
Matt Kasson: This unique species is not sought after for culinary purposes but rather for its unusual tooth-like structures on the underside and its striking blood-red droplets that form on its soft, velvety cap. While it’s not edible, it attracts photographers and mycology enthusiasts eager to observe its spiny features and jelly-like exudates rich in pigments valued by dyers.
The Habitat of Bleeding Tooth Fungus
LB: Where can one typically find this fungus?
MK: The bleeding tooth mushroom has a broad distribution across North America and Europe, with fewer sightings reported in Asia and South America. Other related species such as zoned tooth, velvet tooth, orange rough-cap tooth, blue tooth, and sweetgrass tooth are also found in North America; they may be confused with bleeding tooth depending on their growth stage or condition.
CREDIT: Matt Kasson
The Mystery Behind Its Red Exudate
LB: What leads to the formation of this gooey red substance?
MK: The vivid droplets atop the fungal cap are not exclusive to bleeding teeth; however their size and bright color certainly stand out. This phenomenon known as guttation occurs when fungi actively release watery droplets—a process observed in both plants and fungi alike. These pigmented droplets contain various dissolved substances along with bioactive compounds. For instance,< em>Pseudoinonotus dryadeus< / em>, commonly known as weeping polypore found under oak trees here in eastern U.S., produces yellowish-brown droplets atop its cap.
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Potential Medical Applications
< p class = " article - paragraph skip "> LB : I’ve heard that < em > Hydnellum peckii contains high levels of thlephoric acid which could potentially be used for treating Alzheimer’s disease someday—is there any truth behind that claim?
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Mk :This devil’s-tongue droplet contains several components including an anticoagulant named atromentin—similar biologically to Heparin—which has garnered interest due largely because it inhibits prolyl endopeptidase (an enzyme involved with processing amyloid precursor protein) linked directly towards Alzheimer’s disease.< br />
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While whether these properties could lead towards treatment remains uncertain—it’s clear we continue discovering new bioactive molecules within fungi capable enough providing foundations necessary breakthroughs pharmaceuticals!
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CREDIT : Matt Kasson
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