Pseudohydnum gelatinosum
Pseudohydnum gelatinosum, commonly known as the toothed jelly fungus, cat's tongue, or jelly tooth, is a species of fungus in the order Auriculariales. Its common names refer to its gelatinous consistency and hydnoid undersurface. Found in Eurasia, the mushroom is edible.
Description
The gelatinous fruit bodies are whitish to light grayish or tan, wide and tall, with teeth up to long. The spore print is white. It has little to no flavour.Taxonomy
A subspecies, Pseudohydnum gelatinosum ssp. pusillum, is found in North America. It is the only toothed jelly fungus known in the region.Distribution and habitat
The species was thought to be cosmopolitan, but recent DNA evidence suggests that it is confined to Europe and northern Asia, with superficially similar taxa elsewhere. P. gelatinosum grows on dead conifer wood.The North American species can be found near both coasts, between November– February on the west and July–September in other places. Western specimens usually have a distinct vertical stalk compared to those in the east.