Dark-purple Tooth
Sarcodon fuscoindicus
Identification: Sarcodon fuscoindicus (Dark-purple Tooth)
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Key Features
- Cap dark indigo to purplish-black
- moist and irregular
- Hymenium composed of dense
- whitish to brownish spines (teeth)
- Context (flesh) distinctly zoned
- showing dark purple/black near the surface and bright rusty orange below
- Robust
- fleshy structure
- Mycorrhizal association
- found on forest floor
Color:
Cap dark purple/indigo; Teeth whitish/brownish; Context bright orange and black-zoned
Smell:
Unknown
Growth Pattern:
Single
Environment:
Soil/Leaf litter
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat:
Coniferous forest floor (likely Douglas-fir/Hemlock association)
Distribution:
Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, California)
Seasonality:
Autumn
Economic Value
Market Demand:
Low - Used primarily for natural dyeing
Price Range:
N/A
Commercial Use:
Source of natural blue/green pigments (thecazarin derivatives)
Similar Species
Blue Sarcodon
Sarcodon cyaneus
Key Differences:
- Context usually lacks the intense rusty orange zoning
- Cap color often brighter blue, less dark purple/black
Blue Tooth
Hydnellum caeruleum
Key Differences:
- Context is typically zoned blue and brown, not bright orange and black
- Often has a more irregular, fused growth habit
Recommended Action
Do not consume. Observe only. Handle with gloves if necessary.