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Bleeding Blue Tooth (Hydnellum cyanopodium)

The bleeding blue tooth (Hydnellum cyanopodium) is a rare fungus endemic to coastal old-growth forests of western North America. It is perhaps best known for its stunning guttation display - bright red "juice" droplets that adorn the periphery and upper surface of fresh specimens. Also sometimes called blue foot, the lower portion of this mushroom sports the striking namesake color. H. peckii is similar, but lacks the bluish hues and has a much broader distribution.


Bleeding blue tooth (Hydnellum cyanopodium), close-up of the mushroom's signature red guttation droplets reflecting the Sitka spruce forest canopy above. Focus-stacked composite of 35 exposures at 5:1 magnification. Humboldt County, California, USA.
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Bleeding blue tooth (Hydnellum cyanopodium), low-angle view of the fungus surrounded by moss. Focus-stacked composite. Humboldt County, California, USA.
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Bleeding blue tooth (Hydnellum cyanopodium), overhead view. Note that some of the bluish spines or "teeth" are poking through to the top. Humboldt County, California, USA.
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Bleeding blue tooth (Hydnellum cyanopodium). Note the bluish spore-bearing surface and the fungus's ability to envelope any debris it encounters (in this case, Sitka spruce, with which it has a close association). Humboldt County, California, USA.
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All pictures copyright Timothy Boomer. All rights reserved worldwide.