Panellus stipticus Bitter Oysterling

 

Found on dead stumps & branches of various members of the oak family. Mostly in crowded, horizontally disposed tiers. This fungus was used as a styptic to coagulate blood. Common, seen mainly from September to April.

 

  

The cap is kidney to fan shaped, up to 40mm

across, minutely scruffy, depressed where the

stalk meets the cap, the margin slightly inrolled, &

scalloped. Coloured buff to pinkish-red. Gills run down the rudimentary stem, tend towards being crowded, ochraceous, are often forked, & fade with age. The stubby stem tapers towards the substrate. There is a sticky substance emanating from the gills edge.

               The flesh is pale buff, very tough & thin.          

           Two spores with drops

The spore print is white.                                                                                                                                                                                               

The spores are broadly ellipsoid, smooth, react with iodine turning blue/black, and are clear with drops

 

 Found on Warren Heath, Heath Warren & Church Lane Eversley.                                                                 

 

 

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