Pseudohydnum gelatinosum, commonly known as the toothed jelly fungus, cat's tongue, or jelly tooth, is an Eurasian species of fungus in the order Auriculariales. Its common names refer to its gelatinous consistency and hydnoid (toothed) undersurface.

Description

The gelatinous fruit bodies are whitish to light grayish or tan, 2-5 cm wide, with teeth up to 2 mm long. The spore print is white.

Taxonomy

A subspecies, Pseudohydnum gelatinosum ssp. pusillum, is found in North America. It is the only toothed jelly fungus known in the region.

Distribution and habitat

The species was thought to be cosmopolitan, but recent DNA evidence suggests that it is confined to Europe and northern Asia, with superficially similar (but distinct) taxa elsewhere. P. gelatinosum grows on dead conifer wood. The North American species can be found near both coasts, between November– February on the west and July–September in other places.

Uses

The jelly tooth is edible, even raw, and it is consumed as a wild food in parts of Bulgaria, Russia, and Siberia.