Golden curtain crust

Description:

Stereum ostrea is often called the False turkey tail, since it mimics Trametes versicolor. Like the true Turkey tail, Stereum ostrea has a colorful, somewhat fuzzy cap that displays zones of brown, red, orange, buff, and green colors. While it might be said that Stereum ostrea is more red, more of the time, the tell-tale difference between true and false Turkey Tails is found underneath the cap. Stereum ostrea lacks a pore surface, and therefore has a smooth underside. In other words, it is a crust fungus rather than a polypore. Among the false Turkey tails, Stereum ostrea is distinguished by its relatively large size it regularly reaches widths of 5-7 cm and the fact that it tends to develop individual, sliced-funnel-shaped fruiting bodies, rather than laterally fused flat ones.

Habitat:

Stereum ostrea is saprophytic in nature. It is a plant pathogen, growing on hardwood tree barks, especially oak, and decaying parts. It leaves white deposits in these places. It grows individually, but in a dense manner. Phlebia incarnata, another fungus, is most commonly found growing alongside or even intermingled with this species. This fungus can be parasitized by jelly fungi. It grows all year round and is widespread in North America. Australian distribution of Stereum ostrea includes the eastern coastal and mountainous areas from north Queensland, through NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.

Notes:

Spotted in Girringun National Park, Australia.(sources:see reference)