Fungus · GBIF taxon 5238865
Scaly Hedgehog Mushroom
Sarcodon imbricatusAlso known as Shingled Hedgehog, Scaly Tooth, Shingled Tooth, Scaly Cap
Scaly hedgehog mushrooms produce massive, funnel-shaped caps covered in dark, coarse scales arranged like shingles on a roof. Instead of traditional gills underneath, dense grey spines drop downwards to release brown spores into passing woodland breezes. These striking fungi form mutualistic mycorrhizal partnerships underground with mature coniferous trees, particularly spruce and pine.
Tooth FungusMycorrhizalForest Dweller
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mycorrhizal (symbiotic with tree roots)
Predators
- Slugs
- Fungus Gnat Larvae
- Red Squirrels
ThreatsForest clear-cutting and soil compaction
HabitatsConiferous and mixed coniferous forests
Life spanFruiting bodies persist 2–4 weeks
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyBankeraceae
- SpeciesSarcodon imbricatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Look Beneath: Check the cap underside to see delicate, soft grey teeth instead of gills or pores.
- Examine the Scales: Note the raised, concentric dark brown scales on top of the cap surface.
- Respect the Habitat: Avoid disturbing forest leaf litter and root systems where mycelium grows.
Look-Alike (c) Piotr Lukasik, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Piotr Lukasik · cc-by
Tree Host (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Rolf A. Engelmann, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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