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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** Subyhylum Basidiomycotina (possibly a Aphyllophorales)

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 ?)

Basidiomycetes > Polyporales > Polyporaceae

likely   ? Common Name  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, North America, and Europe)

Similar Species

Basidiomycetes > Polyporales > Hapalopilaceae

? Common Name  Hapalopilus nidulans (Polyporus nidulans, Hapalopilus rutilans)

Irregular fan has one smooth side and one fruiting side.  Can grow to 4" wide.  Dull orange to brown.  No stem.  Grows on decaying hardwoods and conifers.  Inedible but not toxic.

(Native of Texas, North America, and Europe)

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