The fungi in this group produce fruitbodies with spine-like or slightly flattened teeth on the underside of the cap.
The caps are black, thin, about 2 centimetres in diameter and easily overlooked in leaf litter or shadows. Species of Hydnellum generally have small, dowdy brown caps (also easily overlooked).
Fruitbodies of similar form are found in Auriscalpium, Beenakia and Sarcodon.
Warnings
Sometimes it can be hard to tell, with the naked eye, whether the underside of the cap has tiny pores or densely-packed teeth. A magnifying glass or hand lens would make things clear.
It's relatively common for people to upload sightings which may actually contain multiple species.E.g. photos of a plant that may also have captured an insect on one of the leaves OR a photo containin...
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