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"He appears to be experiencing heavy bleeding"

Timber resources were initially found in the northern area for the first time.

"He appears to be losing blood"
"He appears to be losing blood"

"He appears to be experiencing heavy bleeding"

In the heart of the Vitebsk region in Belarus, a remarkable find was made by Lily Krasovskaya, the Deputy Head of the Surazhsky Leshoz. While exploring the forests, she stumbled upon an unusual mushroom, later identified as the Devil's Tooth mushroom (Hydnellum peckii).

This striking fungus is renowned for its unique appearance, featuring a white to pinkish cap with bleeding red droplets, earning it names like "Bleeding Tooth Fungus" and "Strawberries and Cream." The Devil's Tooth mushroom is primarily found in North America, especially the Pacific Northwest, and parts of Europe.

The mushroom produces a unique exudate of red fluid droplets on its surface, a process called guttation. It belongs to the tooth fungi group, which have spines or "teeth" instead of gills under the cap. However, it is generally considered inedible or bitter, with no known culinary uses.

The discovery of the Devil's Tooth mushroom in the Vitebsk region is significant, as it is not commonly found and is considered rare. In fact, Fistulina Hepatica, another name for the Devil's Tooth mushroom, holds the II category of national nature conservation significance in Belarus, making it an endangered species.

The mushroom found in the Maloritsky Leshoz was identified as Fistulina Hepatica, and its location was placed under protection. In Russian, it is called the liverwort or the common liverwort. Interestingly, it is also known by folk names such as the "mother-in-law's tongue" or the "wolf's tongue."

In folk medicine, decoctions of the Devil's Tooth mushroom are used to treat bruises. Atromentin, a pigment found in the fungus, has antibacterial properties. However, there is limited documentation on traditional folk medicinal or culinary uses due to its inedible or unpalatable nature.

The Devil's Tooth mushroom is not as commonly found in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. Its dramatic appearance has made it a subject of interest in folklore and curiosities, but not widely used medicinally. Sometimes, it is collected for dyeing purposes because pigments in the fungus can be extracted.

This discovery serves as a reminder of the diverse and fascinating flora found in Belarus's forests. As we continue to explore and understand these natural wonders, it is essential to protect and conserve them for future generations to appreciate.

[1] Source: Mycology Online (https://www.mycologyonline.com/hydnellum-peckii/) [2] Source: Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydnellum_peckii) [3] Source: Fungi Perfecti (https://www.fungi.com/hydnellum-peckii) [4] Source: Mushroom Observer (https://mushroomobserver.org/name/Hydnellum-peckii) [5] Source: MycoWeb (https://www.mycoweb.com/fungi1/Hydnellum/Hydnellum-peckii.htm)

Science enthusiasts in the Vitebsk region of Belarus may be intrigued to learn that the health-and-wellness benefits of the Devil's Tooth mushroom (Fistulina Hepatica) have been explored in folk medicine. This rare fungus, known for its unique red droplets and striking appearance, contains pigments like atromentin which exhibit antibacterial properties. However, due to its inedible nature and limited documentation, it is less commonly used for medicinal purposes compared to its role in folklore and curiosities.

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