About Hericium americanum Ginns
Hericium americanum, commonly called the bear's head tooth fungus, is an edible mushroom that belongs to the tooth fungus group. This species was formally described as new to science in 1984 by Canadian mycologist James Herbert Ginns. It is commonly found growing on decaying trees across the Northern United States and Canada, and grows particularly well in temperate deciduous forest environments. In the Pacific Northwest, this fungus can be found in October and November. On May 7, 2024, it was officially designated as the state mushroom of Vermont.