Stereum hirsutum

Morphological Features:

Basidiocarp sometimes entirely resupinate, i.e., attached as a crust to the trunk or branch where it emerges, but frequently protruding a couple of centimeters wide by 5 in length. Generally undulate and partially zoned, covered by a series of hairs about 2 mm long that are easily perceptible to the touch. Its color is yellowish with ochraceous tints, usually with a more yellowish margin. It sometimes exhibits greenish tones due to the presence of lichens.

Hymenium smooth, lacking hairs, covers the entire underside of the fruiting body, is unchanging upon rubbing, and yellowish-orange in color, although it tends to become brownish over time.

Stipe absent.

Flesh yellowish and elastic, with nothing remarkable regarding odor or taste.

Habitat:

A cosmopolitan species that fruits throughout the year, always on tree wood, both coniferous and deciduous.

Observations:

Obviously inedible, it is a typical wood-dwelling fungus lacking a stipe. It bears some resemblance to other Stereum species, particularly Stereum ochraceoflavum, which retains more distinct zones on the upper surface and always appears with numerous confluent individuals. It also resembles Stereum insignitum, which is more zoned and lacks the typical hairs of this species.