Welcome to Catnapin's

The Cryptogams Gallery

Fan Mushrooms

Mushrooms and molds are fungus.  A fungus is not a true plant.  It does not photosynthesize light into a food source.  The structures we see and call mushrooms are the reproductive parts of a fungus that lives underground or under bark.

? family

? Common Name **zm 10** Scientific Name

Blue, gray & white banded fungus fans are about 1/2-2" long. The underside is brown and white.  This grew on a single mesquite log in a pile of logs.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, May 2004

(Native ?)

Hunting Similar Species

Polyporales sp. (Aphyllophorales sp.)

Purplepore Bracket Trichaptum abietinum

Division Basidiomycota     Family Polyporaceae

Likely   Hexagonal-pored Polypore Polyporus alveolaris

3/4" round or kidney shaped, flat fan has one smooth side and one fruiting side.  Can grow to 4" wide.  Gray, beige to dull orange, fading with age.  Pore surface is white-ish with diamond or hexagonal shaped ridges.  Stubby lateral stem (occasionally the stem will be more central and the cap will be circular).  Grows on decaying hardwoods and conifers.  Causes white rot where attached.  Edible but tough and tasteless.

Photo taken in Taylor County, Texas, March 2005

(Native of Texas)

? family

? Common Name **zm 16** Scientific Name

Colony of fans living on a Sugar Mesquite stump.  They have a short stem and are about 2" wide.  Top is smooth cream/brown.  The underside is brown and white.  Picture does not show gills.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, February 2009

(Native ?)

? family

? Common Name **zm 17** Scientific Name

3" wide fungus grew on the edge of a table made from painted exterior grade plywood.  The plywood disintegrated 12" wide and 3" deep.  Outer surface very porous, cream color, fuzzy.  Inside is gelatinous, maroon color.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, February 2009

(Native ?)