Story: Fungi

Coral tooth fungus

Coral tooth fungus

The attractive fruiting body of Hericium coralloides is known as the coral tooth fungus. It grows on dead hardwood trees. When young, the fungus is soft and edible, but as it ages the branches and hanging spines become brittle. The Māori name for this species is pekepekekiore.

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The Hidden Forest
Photograph by Clive Shirley

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How to cite this page:

Peter Buchanan, 'Fungi - Saprobes: decomposers', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/11575/coral-tooth-fungus (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Peter Buchanan, published 24 Sep 2007