I always look for stands of Northern Tooth Fungus on this tree in late summer. This tree is beside a trail I walk frequently. I was happy to spot two sections of Climacodon septentrionalis this week.

Their presence is not a good sign for the health of the tree. It has had a wide gash in its trunk for many years. There have been years when the fungus lived entirely inside the wound.

These section are growing at the bottom of one gash and the top of another. They layer over top of each other like stacked fans. The teeth on the lower side increase the surface area for spore production.

I tried out several new mushroom identification apps to see how well each identified it. Neither app got it right. When I switched magnification of the same photo one gave three different answers.

I have never foraged for mushrooms. It is too easy to be wrong. I take only photos in the wild.

FLOWER