Extract from Wikipedia article: Hericium coralloides is a saprotrophic fungus, commonly known as the coral tooth fungus. It grows on dead hardwood trees. When young, the fungus is soft and edible, but as it ages the branches and hanging spines become brittle and turn a light shade of yellowish brown. The Māori name for this species is pekepekekiore.
Hericium coralloides is a edible fungus characterized by its branching, coral-like appearance, typically growing 10-30 cm in diameter. In East and Central Texas, it is commonly found on deciduous trees, particularly oak, beech, and maple, during late summer to early fall. The fungus produces cascading spines 1-5 cm long, which are initially white, then turn cream or yellow with age. It inhabits moist, humid environments, often near streams or rivers, and can be found in wooded areas, including Big Thicket National Preserve and Lost Maples State Natural Area.
Coral tooth mushroom (comb tooth, Hericium coralloides) growing on dead tree on Raccoon Run Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 14, 2012 College Station, TX, USA
Spiny branches of Coral fungus (Hericium coralloides mushroom) growing from a rotten log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 16, 2013 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Coral fungus (Hericium coralloides mushroom) growing from a rotten log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 16, 2013 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Coral tooth mushroom (Hericium coralloides) in Huntsville Park. Texas, December 8, 2013 Forest Service Road 286, Sam Houston National Forest, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Coral tooth mushroom (comb tooth, Hericium coralloides) on a fallen oak on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 12, 2017 1120 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Coral tooth mushroom (comb tooth, Hericium coralloides) on a fallen oak on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 12, 2017 1200 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Small coral tooth mushroom (comb tooth, Hericium coralloides) on a fallen oak on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 12, 2017 1200 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Young coral tooth mushroom (comb tooth, Hericium coralloides) on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 15, 2017 1200 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Coral tooth mushroom (Hericium coralloides) on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 17, 2017
Coral tooth mushroom (Hericium coralloides) on a log on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 17, 2017
Coral tooth mushroom (Hericium coralloides) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, December 9, 2017 Hensel Park DriveWay, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Coral tooth mushroom (Hericium coralloides) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, February 28, 2018 Hensel Park DriveWay, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Coral tooth mushroom (Hericium coralloides) on a fallen tree in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, February 28, 2018 Hensel Park DriveWay, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Coral tooth mushroom (Hericium coralloides) on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, October 31, 2018 746 Francis Dr, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Coral tooth mushroom (Hericium coralloides) on an oak near the ground on Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Texas, February 26, 2019 1101 Williams St, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Coral tooth mushroom (Hericium coralloides) on an oak log on Little Lake Creek Loop Trail east from Trailhead No. 4 in Sam Houston National Forest, near Montgomery. Texas, January 2, 2021 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Coral tooth fungus (Hericium coralloides) at the base of an oak tree on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, December 14, 2021 Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Side view of coral tooth fungus (Hericium coralloides) on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, December 14, 2021 Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
AI-generated summary of observations
Observations in East and Central Texas show that Hericium coralloides, also known as the coral tooth mushroom, typically grows on dead or rotten wood. It has been found on fallen trees, logs, and stumps in various parks and trails, including Lick Creek Park, Huntsville Park, Kiwanis Nature Trail, Hensel Park, and Sam Houston National Forest. The fungus appears to thrive in these environments, with sightings recorded throughout the year, from October to February. Its spiny branches and coral-like appearance make it a distinctive species. In some cases, multiple mushrooms have been observed growing together on the same log or tree, suggesting that the fungus can colonize and grow rapidly in favorable conditions. The observations span several years, from 2012 to 2021, indicating that Hericium coralloides is a persistent and widespread species in East and Central Texas.