Phellodon tomentosus

Phellodon tomentosus

Woolly Tooth or zoned phellodon, zoned cork hydnum (Linnaeus ex Fries) Banker, 1906) is a mushroom belonging to the Bankeraceae family.

Systematics –
Domain Eukaryota,
Kingdom Fungi,
Phylum Basidiomycota,
Class Agaricomycetes,
Order Thelephorales,
Family Bankeraceae,
Genus Phellodon,
Species P. tomentosus.
The following are basionyms:
– Hydnum tomentosum L.
Synonyms:
– Acia variecolor (Secr. ex Fr.) P.Karst.;
– Calodon cyathiforme (Schaeff.) Quél.;
– Calodon cyathiformis (P.Karst.) Quél.;
– Calodon pullus (Schaeff.) Quél.;
– Calodon tomentosus (L.) Maire;
– Calodon variecolor (Secr. ex Fr.) Quél.;
– Hydnellum connatum (Schultz) P.Karst.;
– Hydnellum cyathiforme P.Karst.;
– Hydnum connatum Rick;
– Hydnum connatum Schultz;
– Hydnum connatum subsp. scutatum Pers.;
– Hydnum coriaceo-membranaceum;
– Hydnum cyathiforme Schaeff.;
– Hydnum cyathiforme Schaeff. ex St-Amans;
– Hydnum cyathiforme Vahl;
– Hydnum graveolens Pers.;
– Hydnum leptopus Pers.;
– Hydnum leptopus var. pullum (Schaeff.) Pers.;
– Hydnum pullum Schaeff.;
– Hydnum tomentosum Schrad.;
– Hydnum tomentosum var. atroalbum Alb. & Schwein.;
– Hydnum tomentosum var. commune Alb. & Schwein.;
– Hydnum tomentosum var. cyathiforme Pers.;
– Hydnum torulosum Fr.;
– Hydnum variecolor Secr.;
– Hydnum variecolor Secr. ex Fr.;
– Phaeodon connatus (Schultz) Henn.;
– Phellodon connatus (Schultz) P.Karst.;
– Phellodon cyathiformis (P.Karst.) P.Karst.;
– Phellodon pullus (Schaeff.) Banker;
– Sarcodon torulosus (Fr.) P.Karst..

Etymology –
The genus name Phellodon combines the Greek words phellos (cork) and odóus (tooth), referring to both the corky consistency of the flesh and the presence of the aculeate hymenophore.
The specific epithet tomentosus derives from the Latin tomentum, meaning “fluff” or “felt,” referring to the surface of the cap, which was initially velvety and felted.

Geographical Distribution and Habitat –
Phellodon tomentosus is a Holarctic species, widespread across much of Europe, North America, and temperate Asia. In Europe, it is considered quite common where suitable forest environments exist.
From an ecological standpoint, it is a soil-dwelling mushroom that grows primarily in coniferous and mixed forests, with a particular preference for fir stands, especially under Picea abies. However, it has been found in less typical environments, such as Mediterranean scrub forests devoid of conifers, suggesting a certain ecological flexibility. It bears fruit from late summer to autumn, often forming clusters of confluent specimens.

Recognition –
The genus Phellodon comprises stipitate, terrestrial basidiomes with a hymenophore composed of spines and flesh of an elastic, corky consistency. Microscopically, it features a monomitic hyphal system without clasped joints, tetrasporic basidia, no cystidia, and white, non-amyloid, subglobose, and slightly echinulate spores.
In the species Phellodon tomentosus, the cap, which is inedible, generally measures 2 to 6 cm in diameter and is frequently fused with adjacent spores. The shape varies from flat to depressed or funnel-shaped. The cap surface is initially velvety-felted, then becomes fibrous or scaly with age. The color is light in young specimens, ranging from white to grayish-brown, then darkening to a yellowish-brown hue; the margin remains lighter, and concentric zoning is generally evident.
The hymenophore consists of very dense, short spines, approximately 1–3 mm long, grayish-brown in color with lighter tips, decurrent on the stipe. The stipe is irregular, brownish, felty, up to 4–5 cm tall, and rather thin. The flesh is small, brownish, leathery-elastic, with a characteristic odor that, in dried specimens, resembles meat broth; the taste is bitter.
Under the microscope, the spores are hyaline, spherical to broadly ellipsoidal, finely aculeate, and measure 3.1–3.6 × 2.7–3 µm. The spores’ reaction to KOH in the context is absent or very weak, a characteristic useful for distinguishing them from Phellodon niger, which reacts with a distinct green color.

Cultivation –
There are no documented experiences with the cultivation of Phellodon tomentosus. Its leathery texture, lack of nutritional value, and the ecological requirements of forest environments make this species unsuitable for artificial cultivation.

Uses and Traditions –
The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Hydnum tomentosum and transferred to the genus Phellodon by Howard James Banker in 1906.
In Italy, Spain, and France, it has no traditional vernacular names, while in Germanic countries it is known by various local names and in the United Kingdom as “Woolly Tooth.”
The species has no known food, medicinal, or traditional uses. Like many Bankeraceae, Phellodon tomentosus is of primarily scientific and ecological interest and is sometimes considered an indicator of mature, undisturbed forest environments.

Preparation Instructions –
There are no preparation instructions. Phellodon tomentosus is an inedible species, devoid of culinary value, characterized by tough flesh and a bitter taste.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Cetto B., 2008. Mushrooms from the True, Saturnia, Trento.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (eds.), 2005. An Annotated Checklist of the Italian Vascular Flora, Palombi Editore.

Photo Source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/445513437/original.jpg

Warning: The pharmaceutical applications and dietary uses are provided for informational purposes only and do not in any way constitute medical prescriptions. We therefore decline any responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic, or nutritional purposes.