Orchard Toothcrust
Sarcodontia setosa
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcodontia_setosa
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Polyporales
Family
Meruliaceae
Genus
Sarcodontia
Orchard Toothcrust belongs to the family Meruliaceae, order Polyporales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Orchard Toothcrust faces severe threats from habitat loss due to the decline of traditional orchards and old-growth forests containing its essential host trees. Climate change and intensive agricultural practices have dramatically reduced suitable substrates, while pollution and pesticide use in modern farming further compromise the fungal communities this species depends on for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This fungus grows on dead and dying hardwood trees, particularly fruit trees in traditional orchards, old apple and pear trees, and occasionally on other deciduous species in mature woodland edges and parkland environments. It requires specific moisture conditions and substrate chemistry found in aging wood of broadleaf trees, especially in semi-natural and traditional agricultural landscapes.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Orchard Toothcrust faces severe threats from habitat loss due to the decline of traditional orchards and old-growth forests containing its essential host trees. Climate change and intensive agricultural practices have dramatically reduced suitable substrates, while pollution and pesticide use in modern farming further compromise the fungal communities this species depends on for survival.
Climate change affecting fungal substrate availability
Decline of old-growth deciduous forests
Intensive agricultural practices and pesticide use
Loss of traditional orchards and fruit tree habitats
Air pollution impacting fungal growth
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Orchard Toothcrust (Sarcodontia setosa). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/orchard-toothcrust