Rare coral tooth mushroom found at Upton Country Park

Andy Knott, 37, from Bere Regis, is the founder of Jurassic Coast Mushrooms and has discovered an 'incredibly rare' coral tooth (Hericium Coralloides) at Upton Country Park in Poole.

Andy foraging for mushrooms (Image: Submitted)

This mushroom is closely related to lion's mane, a popular mushroom used in cooking.

It is renowned for its taste, meaty texture, and medicinal properties, which may help against dementia, speed recovery of nervous system injuries, and help manage diabetes symptoms.

Andy said: "Coral tooth is very similar to lion's mane in many ways, apart from how it grows.

"Producing these stunning fractals of coral structure as opposed to lion's mane which does resemble to mane of a lion, with long white cascading spines."

Lion's mane is a protected fungi species; picking or harvesting it in the wild is illegal and can result in a prison sentence. However, coral tooth does not have the same regulations, so people look for it to forage.

Andy said: "Most years it gets harvested by somebody, and while they are not breaking any laws it means that others don't get to enjoy it's beauty and by removing its fruiting body, we are reducing the chance of spores dropping and colonising this mushroom."

To protect the wild populations of coral tooth mushrooms, Andy is collecting samples to clone and grow in his lab. This means that people will be able to grow these 'beautiful mushrooms from home, using grow kits, which rose to popularity following the last season of Clarkson's Farm.

Cloning corral tooth spores (Image: Submitted)

With these coral tooth clones, Andy will preserve the native species of fungi while allowing the public to benefit from their properties.

Andy cloned the fully developed mushrooms, which have been given to a nearby Michelin-Guide restaurant, Thirteen on Ashley Road in Poole.

"Nowhere else in the country will be coral tooth on the menu.

"Many people say it tastes a bit like lobster, so it is a great alternative to fish, because it has a really delicate texture and is white and flaky like crabmeat."