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Biology

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Fungi are neither plants nor animals but belong to their own kingdom. They are unable to produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis, as plants do; instead, they acquire nutrients from living or dead plants, animals, or other fungi, as animals do. In many larger fungi (lichens excepted) the only visible parts are the fruit bodies, which arise from a largely unseen network of threads called 'hyphae'. These hyphae permeate the fungus's food source, which may be soil, leaf litter, rotten wood, dung, and so on, depending on the species. With the exception of the earpick fungus Auriscalpium vulgare, all stipitate hydnoid fungi are ectomycorrhizal species; they form close symbiotic relationships with trees, and derive some of their nutrients from the tree's roots. This aids them in obtaining nutrients on poor quality soil, and means that are always found in association with trees (1). Like Hydnellum, Phellodon species are often surprisingly free of invertebrate damage. It is thought that they may contain defensive chemicals that repel invertebrates and possibly even mammalian grazers (1).
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Conservation

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There are relatively very few records of Phellodon confluens, and it has probably been greatly under-recorded (1). The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) has produced a Group Action Plan for 14 UK species of stipitate hydnoid fungi (2). A number of sites that support this species, including the New Forest, are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or reserves (2). Fused tooth fungus is afforded general protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, but it is not one of the four species of non-lichenized fungi given special protection under Schedule 8. Much more research on these fungi is needed if they are to be conserved (1); it is an unfortunate fact that fungi are truly 'the forgotten kingdom' when it comes to conservation action (7).
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Description

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The fused tooth fungus belongs to the stipitate hydnoid fungi group. These fungi share some morphological characters, but are not naturally related (8). Stipitate hydnoid fungi are also known as 'tooth fungi', since the spores are released from tooth-like structures. The fruit bodies are terrestrial and have a short stalk or 'stipe', hence the name 'stipitate' (1). The teeth are on the underside of the fruit body (the part of the fungus that we see) (1). The flesh of all members of the genus Phellodon is tough and somewhat leathery; it becomes 'corky' when it dries (1) and develops a distinct spicy smell (4). The spores are spiny and white (4). The caps may fuse together to form one mass with a number of stipes, and may grow around and even engulf blades of grass and twigs. If they are growing on a slope, the fruit bodies can overlap to form layers of semi-fused caps (1). As specimens age the cap may change in terms of colour, shape and texture (1), but confusion can arise as the downy surface of the cap can darken greatly when it rains (4). WARNING: many species of fungus are poisonous or contain chemicals that can cause sickness. Never pick and eat any species of fungus that you cannot positively recognise or are unsure about. Some species are deadly poisonous and can cause death within a few hours if swallowed.
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Habitat

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This species occurs in broadleaved woodlands, but in Scotland it is also found in pine forests. It grows on sandy heathland, the sides of tracks, at the edges of marl-pits and on wood banks. It tends to be found in association with oak and sweet chestnut, and less frequently with silver birch, beech and pine (1).
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Range

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Phellodon confluens is widespread in Europe and North America. It is widespread but rare in the south of England and Scotland (10), and there is a single record from Wales (9). It is known from the New Forest (11), but is one of the less common stipitate hydnoids at this important site (1).
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Status

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Provisionally classified as Vulnerable in Great Britain (2). Digging up fungi without permission could constitute theft under the Theft Act of 1968 (3).
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Threats

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There is no definite evidence that this species has actually suffered a decline (1), however it is rare and certainly needs attention (1). All species of stipitate hydnoid fungi are vulnerable to the effects of atmospheric pollution (1), soil eutrophication, soil disturbance (e.g. by timber management) and competition from vascular plants (1).
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Associations

provided by BioImages, the virtual fieldguide, UK
Foodplant / mycorrhiza / ectomycorrhiza
fruitbody of Phellodon confluens is ectomycorrhizal with live root of Broadleaved trees
Remarks: Other: uncertain

Foodplant / mycorrhiza / ectomycorrhiza
fruitbody of Phellodon confluens is ectomycorrhizal with live root of Betula pendula
Remarks: Other: uncertain
Other: major host/prey

Foodplant / mycorrhiza / ectomycorrhiza
fruitbody of Phellodon confluens is ectomycorrhizal with live root of Castanea sativa
Remarks: Other: uncertain
Other: major host/prey

Foodplant / mycorrhiza / ectomycorrhiza
fruitbody of Phellodon confluens is ectomycorrhizal with live root of Fagus
Remarks: Other: uncertain
Other: major host/prey

Foodplant / mycorrhiza / ectomycorrhiza
fruitbody of Phellodon confluens is ectomycorrhizal with live root of Quercus
Remarks: Other: uncertain
Other: major host/prey

Foodplant / mycorrhiza / ectomycorrhiza
fruitbody of Phellodon confluens is ectomycorrhizal with live root of Pinus sylvestris
Remarks: Other: uncertain
Other: unusual host/prey

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Phellodon confluens

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Phellodon confluens, commonly known as the fused cork hydnum,[2] is a species of tooth fungus in the family Bankeraceae. It was originally described in 1825 as Hydnum confluens by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon.[3] Czech mycologist Zdenek Pouzar transferred it to the genus Phellodon in 1956.[4] The fungus is found in Asia,[5] Europe, and North America.[2] It is considered vulnerable in Switzerland.[6]

References

  1. ^ "GSD Species Synonymy: Phellodon confluens (Pers.) Pouzar". Species Fungorum. CAB International. Retrieved 2015-09-09.
  2. ^ a b McKnight VB, McKnight KH (1987). A Field Guide to Mushrooms: North America. Peterson Field Guides. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-395-91090-0.
  3. ^ Persoon CH. (1825). Mycologia Europaea (in Latin). Vol. 2. Erlangen: Palm. p. 165.
  4. ^ Pouzar Z. (1956). "Príspevek k poznání nasich kloboukatých losáku" (PDF). Ceská Mykologie (in Czech). 10 (2): 65–76.
  5. ^ Dai Y-C. (2011). "A revised checklist of corticioid and hydnoid fungi in China for 2010". Mycoscience. 52 (1): 69–79. doi:10.1007/s10267-010-0068-1. S2CID 86049359.
  6. ^ Senn-Irlet B, Bieri G, Egli S (2007). Lista Rossa Macromiceti. Lista Rossa delle specie minacciate in Svizzera. UV-0718-I (Report) (in Italian). Bern: Ufficio federale dell’ambiente.

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Phellodon confluens: Brief Summary

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Phellodon confluens, commonly known as the fused cork hydnum, is a species of tooth fungus in the family Bankeraceae. It was originally described in 1825 as Hydnum confluens by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon. Czech mycologist Zdenek Pouzar transferred it to the genus Phellodon in 1956. The fungus is found in Asia, Europe, and North America. It is considered vulnerable in Switzerland.

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