Coral Tooth Fungus

A number of inedible or poisonous coral mushrooms are superficially similar in that they are white and have a spindly branching structure. They differ in that the spines do not hang downwards. The edible and closely related (but less common) Hericium abietis differs in that it grows on conifer logs and has a more compact branching structure. It is somewhat reminiscent of a white Christmas tree whose exterior is completely draped in white icicles.

See also the edible Hericium erinaceus.