Stipitate hydnoid or ‘tooth’ fungi
(including Hydnellum, Bankera, Phellodon and Sarcodon species)

Hydnellum concrescens
©Fred Rumsey

These all have small teeth under the cap instead of gills or pores and most of them are inconspicuously coloured, usually brown.

There are regional differences in their distribution; some species such as Sarcodon glaucopus are found only in Scottish pinewoods, whilst others such as Hydnellum spongiospies are predominantly found in the warm southern counties of England under broad-leaved trees.

These species often occur on bare areas of soil, particularly on small banks and research is currently underway to try to better understand their requirements and to clarify the taxonomy of the group