Sarcodon is a genus of fungi in the family Bankeraceae, which is part of the order Thelephorales, known for its almost universal ectomycorrhizal ecology. The genus owes its name to the presence of teeth-like spines on the hymenophore, from ancient Greek; sarco = flesh and odon = tooth. For this reason they are commonly called "tooth fungi", or "Hydnoid fungi".

Description

Sarcodon species have yellow to brown tinted basidiospores, with lengths in the range of 7.4–9 μm. The basidiomata are often soft and fleshy.

Species

, Index Fungorum listed 49 valid species of Sarcodon. However, in 2019 Larsson et al. transferred 12 species into the genus Hydnellum. In 2024, Douch et al. transferred Sarcodon carbonarius to the genus Neosarcodon.

Human uses

Several species within the Sarcodon genus, including S. imbricatus (see figure), are edible. The fungus can be bitter, but that is less apparent in younger specimens. In China, it is a popular edible mushroom and it is used to reduce cholesterol, relax the muscles, and improve blood circulation. Isolates from the genus, called scabronines, may increase nerve growth factor synthesis in vitro.