Split-Gill Fungus

Description:

The cap is shell-shaped, with the tissue concentrated at the point of attachment, resembling a stem. It is often wavy and lobed, with a rigid margin when old. It is tough, felty and hairy, and slippery when moist. It is greyish white and up to 4 cm in diameter. The gills are pale reddish or grey, very narrow with a longitudinal split edge which becomes inrolled when wet; the only knows fungus with spit gills that are capable of retracting by movement. It is found predominantly from autumn to spring on dead wood, in coniferous and deciduous forest.

Habitat:

It is a common species of fungi of the genus Schizophyllum. It is most widely distributed mushroom in the world, occurring on all continents except Antarctica. Although European and U.S. guidelines listed as edible, this is due to the different standards of taste and no known toxicity, with little interest being considered culinary apparently its hard texture

Notes:

It is common in rotting wood, but can also cause disease in humans...