fungus

Lentinula reticeps is a medium-sized gilled mushroom. It occurs in the United States from New York to Maryland, west to Minnesota and Missouri, and in southern Canada from Quebec to Manitoba. It grows on the branches of hardwood trees, especially oak. It is often found on branches that have dropped to the ground. It gains its nutrients from decayed wood (saprobic).

The cap is 1¼″ to 2″ (3 to 5 cm) in diameter, salmon colored or pale brick red, and tinged yellow in the center. It is broadly convex or sometimes depressed in the center. The upper surface is hairless and somewhat gelatinous. It usually has a distinct, raised network of ridges, but it is sometimes smooth. The margins are flattened or curled upwards.

The gills are narrow, closely spaced, fleshy, and tough. They are broadly attached to the stalk or slightly run down the stalk.

The stalk is solid, tough, curved, 1″ to 1½″ (2.5 to 4.0 cm) long, and 3⁄16″ to ½″ (5 to 12 mm) thick. It may be attached in the center or toward the side of the cap. The surface is grooved, hairless, and whitish or pale. The base is disk-like and blackish.

The flesh is pinkish.

The spore print is white.

Dead deciduous wood, especially oak

May through October

Sources

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

Greg Watson
9/6/2024

Location: Beaver Creek Valley State Park