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Mushroom Monday: The Hairy Oyster Mushroom (Panus neostrigosus)
When exploring dead hardwood in East Texas forests, you might encounter clusters of small, hairy mushrooms growing like shelves from logs and stumps. These could be Hairy Oyster Mushrooms (Panus neostrigosus, synonym: Lentinus strigosus), fascinating decomposers that contribute to the natural recycling processes in our local forest ecosystems.
Physical Appearance
These distinctive mushrooms are easily recognized by their densely hairy caps, which range from tan to reddish-brown in color. The caps measure 2-8 centimeters across and develop a funnel-like shape as they mature. Their gills are white to cream-colored and extend down the stem (a feature known as decurrent gills). The stem itself is typically off-center and shares the hairy texture of the cap.
Growth Patterns
Hairy Oyster Mushrooms rarely grow alone. Instead, they generally form overlapping, shelf-like clusters on their wooden hosts. Their tough, leathery texture helps them persist on dead wood, where they can be found year-round in Texas. These clusters of fungi work together to break down dead wood, an essential process in forest ecosystems.
Ecological Role
These mushrooms serve as nature’s recyclers. As saprobic fungi, they break down dead hardwood through a process called white rot. This decomposition process gradually transforms dead wood into nutrients that enrich the forest soil. When you spot these mushrooms on a log or stump, you’re witnessing an active part of the forest’s nutrient cycling system.
Habitat and Distribution
In our area, you’ll find these mushrooms growing on dead hardwood trees, logs, and stumps. They are common in East Texas and can be found year-round there. They can be found in other regions as well; for example, in Minnesota, they are typically seen from May through October.
Want to Know More?
If you spot these interesting fungi on dead wood in your landscape, contact ArborTrue’s arborists at (832) 980-8733. We can help you understand how decomposer fungi affect your trees and assess the health of dead wood in your landscape.
If you found this information about the Hairy Oyster Mushroom (Panus neostrigosus) interesting, check out our other posts on our TrueTreeTalk blog. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with these and other posts. Check out our list of blog posts grouped by topic for more to read.
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ArborTrue is a science-based tree service company in the greater Houston area. We also serve Austin and other parts of Central Texas. We provide a range of services including tree trimming, tree pruning, tree removal, tree planting, arborist consultations, and more. Call us today at 832-980-8733 (Houston) or at 512-546-3833 (Austin) or reach out to us online to schedule an appointment.
