What Happens When You Eat New York's 'Bleeding Tooth Fungus'?

Just in time for Halloween, there's an ultra-creepy fungus growing in New York State that would fit right in with Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees.

There's no shortage of strange and even gross-looking plants in the Empire State. From dead man's fingers and slime mold to the toxic eyeballs that grow in local forests, there's plenty of ammunition for spooky season. The weirdest, however, might be Hydnellum peckii.

The bleeding tooth fungus looks just as creepy as it sounds (Mushroom Wonderland via YouTube)

Bleeding Tooth Fungus in New York State

Hydnellum peckii, also known as bleeding tooth or devil's tooth fungus, grows in many parts of North America, including New York state. Scientists don't know exactly why the fungus "bleeds" the red fluid that resembles blood drops, but one thing is for certain: you'll be sorry if you try and eat it.

Hydnellum peckii, also known as Bleeding Tooth, is a fungus that grows in New York State forests (Mushroom Wonderland via YouTube)

Is Bleeding Tooth Fungus Safe to Eat?

"Technically, anything is safe to eat once", the National Parks Service (NPS) joked in a recent social media post about the gory fungus (below). They went on to explain that while the growth isn't necessarily toxic, eating bleeding tooth is a terrible idea.

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Don't Eat Bleeding Tooth Fungus in New York

"Although it may look like strawberries and cream, it tastes like bitterness and regret", the NPS quipped, sharing that the taste is so bad that it may as well be considered inedible. But why does it bleed?

Why Bleeding Tooth Fungus "Bleeds"

While the NPS shared that there isn't a definitive reason for the "bleeding", other experts believe it's simply the way the fungus gets rid of excess moisture it absorbs from the forest floor. A red pigmentation, they say, turns the water red to resemble blood.

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While the fungus should stay in the ground and out of your mouth, finding one in the wild could be the perfect way to celebrate Halloween and New York State's vibrant ecosystem at the same time. Check out some awesome (and super creepy) hikes that could jumpstart your search below.