Split Gill

Split Gill is one of the most common and widespread mushrooms on the planet. It occurs on six continents, absent only from Antarctica, where there are no trees to support it. It is also one of the best studied fungi species. The genome was sequenced in in 2010, and it is often used in the laboratory because it fruits so readily.

It is found scattered, in small groups, in rows, or in fused clusters, on stumps, logs, and sticks of dead hardwood, especially oak. Worldwide it is found decomposing more than 150 different species. It is saprobic, obtaining its nutrients from decaying wood.

There is no stalk but the narrowed point of attachment on some individuals resembles a short stalk.

The cap is small, ⅜″ to 19 ⁄16″ in diameter. It may have a narrow base or be shelf-like, broadly attached to the surface (substrate). When attached to the side of a log or stick it is more or less fan-shaped. When attached above or below a log or stick it is irregular to shell-shaped. It is tough, leathery, and thin, both when wet and when dry. The upper surface is dry, densely hairy, and white to grayish-white or gray when dry, sometimes tan when wet. The margin is usually dry and is rolled under when dry.

The underside (spore surface) is covered with gill-like folds radiating from the point of attachment. The folds are thick, whitish to grayish, and appear hairy when dry. They are creamy white, smooth, and split down the middle longitudinally when moist. They close up in dry weather, protecting the spores, and open when moistened.

The flesh is whitish or grayish, tough, and thin. It is considered inedible in North America and Europe due to its toughness and small size. However, it is used in the cuisines of places with dryer climates, where fleshy mushrooms are difficult to transport to market.

The spore print is white.

Crimped Gill (Plicaturopsis crispa) has a tan to yellowish cap. The gills are conspicuously wavy.

Scattered or clustered on stumps, logs, and sticks of hardwood, especially oak.

Fruits from spring to fall but persists year round

Sources

4, 7, 24, 26, 29, 30, 77.

Very common and very widespread

Some mycologists place the genus Schizophyllum in its own order, the Schizophyllales.

... after a light snow, so I imagine the edges are a light dusting of that.

I thought this was a fuzzy white bracket fungus, but I think the gills give it away as being (Schizophyllum commune). Might be the most common fungus in the known universe, but it's the first time I've noticed it.

Schizophyllum commune - fungi kingdom
Nineli Lishina

Luciearl
6/4/2024

Location: Cass County

Location: Fairview Twp, Cass County

... after a light snow, so I imagine the edges are a light dusting of that.

I thought this was a fuzzy white bracket fungus, but I think the gills give it away as being (Schizophyllum commune). Might be the most common fungus in the known universe, but it's the first time I've noticed it.