A large chunk of the protected bearded tooth mushroom, Hericium erinaceus, has been sliced away (pictured above) from a tree in the New Forest

Police have launched an investigation into the theft from the New Forest of a rare edible mushroom said to have medicinal properties.

A chunk of the long-stranded fungus was sliced off a large specimen growing on the trunk of a tree.

The Forestry Commission reported the crime to Hampshire Police last week, but officers have said they won't be able to attend to the incident until next week.

Colloquially, the fungus is variously known as the lion's mane mushroom, the bearded tooth fungus, the hedgehog fungus or bearded hedgehog mushroom, the pom pom mushroom, or the satyr's beard.

Scientists have identified compounds in the fungus - which has long been used in Chinese medicine - shown to help those suffering with cancer or diabetes.

It is so rare it was made the subject of special legal protections in 1998 and it is a criminal offence to pick it without authorisation.

The bizarre theft comes weeks after the Forestry Commission put up signs warning the public not to pick mushrooms in the Hampshire National Park to help the local eco-system.

In recent years the New Forest is said to have been targeted by an army of commercial foragers who collect large amounts of mushrooms and sell them to trendy London restaurants.

The Forestry Commission is not revealing the exact location of the bearded tooth - Hericium erinaceus - was taken from, as they don't want to encourage others to look for it.

What does it taste like? The fungi’s official name is Hericium erinaceus but it is commonly referred to as bearded tooth or tree hedgehog Its icicle-like spines have also earned it the nickname lion’s mane Each section of the mushroom can measure three to ten inches wide with spines up to 2¾ inches It’s rarely found in the UK, but when it is, it is normally on damaged beech and oak trees in more ancient woodland Some say that when cooked it tastes like lobster in butter The mushrooms grow in the same location year after year They are white when they first grow, and then turn yellow to brown as they age Advertisement

The fungus can be easily identified by its fronds, which look like a cascade of thin white icicles between three and ten inches wide, each of which grow to around three inches long.

They are stemless, and produce spores on small, white teeth close to the surface of wood on which they grow. Initially white, the bearded tooth turns yellow or brown with age.

Under Section 13 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is a crime to 'intentionally pick, uproot or destroy' bearded tooth mushrooms.

The law states: 'If any person intentionally picks, uproots or destroys any wild plant included in Schedule 8; or not being an authorised person, intentionally uproots any wild plant not included in that Schedule, he shall be guilty of an offence.'

Schedule 8 was updated in 1998 to include the Hericium erinaceus, listed in the legislation at the Hedgehog Fungus.

The magnificent New Forest specimen before the theft. Hampshire Police and the Forestry Commission are not releasing the exact location of the fungus for fear of copycat mushroom-slicings

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: 'Last week officers were contacted by the Forestry Commission who reported large quantities of fungi being taken from the New Forest. The matter is under investigation.'

A spokesman for the Forestry Commission said this afternoon that police have delayed their visit to the New Forest by a week.

Communications manager Esta Mion said: "The countryside watch officer wasn't able make it today, but has fixed a date next week to follow up.

It is unclear why the edible fungus, which is said to assist with the management of Alzheimer's and dementia, was taken.

Daniel Butler, who teaches mushroom courses at Aberystwyth University, said there are a number of possibilities.

Mr Butler said: 'I have already seen the finger of blame being pointed at foragers but I think it's important there is no knee jerk reaction.

Aberystwyth University lecturer Daniel Butler has suggested foragers might not be to blame for the disappearance

The medical properties of the bearded tooth mushroom Hericium erinaceus, also known as Lion's Mane, Bearded Tooth, or Hedgehog Mushroom, is an edible fungus. According to the US National Library of Medicine it has a long history of use as a herbal cure in Chinese medicine. Scientists have found the fungus to be rich in components which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Its compounds have also been found to alter the immune system, to reduce fat, to protect brain function and to have antioxidant properties. A 2013 study found that H. erinaceus has also been reported to have anti-microbial, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, and wound healing properties. Advertisement

'While it is possible a forager took it, maybe to eat, it's also likely a mycologist stole it to study under a microscope.

'Bearded tooth is one of the few protected mushrooms that is edible which means there will always be people taking them.

'There are only a handful of them in the New Forest and if anyone is caught, of course they should be prosecuted.'

A spokesperson for the Forestry Commission said: 'New Forest keepers and rangers will continue to ask local people and visitors not to pick fungi in the New Forest National Park and help spread the message.

'We encourage people to get out into the forest to enjoy the signs of autumn and people must act responsibly and leave rare fungi in their natural environment.

'This theft highlights that there are still a few people who will take rare fungi from this special place.

'We need people to report incidents to the police, not just on social media - otherwise it won't be dealt with appropriately.'

Last month, the Forestry Commission was criticised for putting up the signs implying that mushroom picking is completely banned in the national park.

Pickers claimed the signage was 'misleading' as it reads reads 'No picking', leading to fears well-meaning members of the public may confront foragers.

Commercial picking is against the law under the Theft Act 1968, with anything over 3.3lbs considered commercial.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact police on 101.