Did You Know There Is a Fungus That Bleeds?

Hydnellum peckii is an inedible fungus which is native to Europe, North America and it was also recently discovered in Iran and Korea. 

This fungus reproduces and has a body like the other species of fungus in his family.  But that’s the case with the older fruits. Younger fruits are unique because they can “bleed” a bright red fluid. This fluid contains pigment which has properties like anticoagulant heparin.  

Because of this unusual appearance this fungus has many names including strawberry and cream, bleeding Hydnellum,

 the bleeding tooth fungus and the devil tooth. Hydnelum peckii fruit can be easily recognized when young, but with the age it becomes more brown.

The first person who managed to identify this unique fungus was the American mycologist Howard James Banker in 1913.

The fruits of the fungus are actually reproductive structures. They produce spore which is very small. Bleeding fungus is a mycorrhizal fungus and it can be connected to the roots of certain trees. The fruit of the bleeding Hydnelium is not poisonous, but it has an extremely bitter taste. Substances which are produced from these unique fungus have antibacterial and anticoagulant properties.

Watch the video about Hydnelum peckii below.