Northern Tooth Fungus

Older with Longer Teeth

| Flower Roberts

We checked on the Northern Tooth Fungus this morning. They are in a tree near Evergreen Island.

The two stands of it are still intact. It is turning a darker cream color. The largest  top is turning black.

Darker and dryer
Northern Tooth Fungus

It looks dryer than it did several weeks ago.

Maybe it is my imagination, but the teeth look longer to me now. I will share before and now photos.

Close-up with better camera two weeks ago.
Older with Longer Teeth

I found other stands of these in maples around the lake. These are the lowest and largest.

I have posted on these same two groups for years. One year they got destroyed by something. I think they are beautiful.

FLOW

Northern Tooth Fungus

| Flower Roberts

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.

Northern Tooth Fungus

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.

Climacodon septentionalis

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.

Teeth

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.

Northern Tooth Fungus

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

FLOWER