17 January 2009 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Common Name Split Gill Cap Fan or shell shaped, surface downy, margin lobed, furrowed, whitish, to about 4 cm across Hymenium Gill like, split lengthwise, radiating from the point of attachment, pinkish or ochraceous Flesh Tough, pale Season All year Distribution Infrequent Habitat On dead wood from deciduous trees, favouring beech Spore Print White Microscopic Features Spores ellipsoidal to sub-cylindrical, smooth (6-7) x (2.5-3) µm2. Edibility Generally considered inedible, but used as a chewing gum substitute in parts of tropical Africa and Indonesia Notes 'Schizophyllum' means split gill. In dry weather the split gills close, protecting the fertile surfaces from dessication 
17 January 2009 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |