Hydnellum concrescens?

Gerel · #1 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 05:03 PM

Hi,

These are growing at the foot of an oak tree, seemingly associated with its roots. Caps average ~50mm across, I couldn't pick up any noticable smell and didn't think to taste them. I'm thinking H. concrescens, any thoughts?

Close up of spines.

regards

Steve

Chris Yeates · #2 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 06:55 PM

hi Steve

looks a good possibility - a drop of alkali on the flesh and/or spines would yield a dark green colour if it is concrescens

Chris

Gerel · #3 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 08:10 PM

Thanks Chris,

I found some very old fruit bodies by the same tree about February this year but they were too far gone to identify, so had a look today to see if they had returned.

Would the reaction to KOH be the same for scrobilatum, from what I've read they seem to be part of the same complex?

Steve

Chris Yeates · #4 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 08:16 PM

scrobiculatum does not have that alkali reaction - it also has somewhat larger spores and has only weak zonate banding (yours looks distinctive)

cheers

Chris

Gerel · #5 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 08:22 PM

Thanks, I'll try it tomorrow.

Steve

Gerel · #6 (**permalink**) 26-09-2009, 12:36 AM

I tried the alkali reaction today and there was a definite colour change. However I would describe it as more of a yellow/green than a dark green. This may have been due to the fact that the alkali I had handy was commercial drain clearer, rather than pure KOH, which also contains bleach and surfactants.

Steve