Beefsteak Fungus

shonkarko · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 08:46 AM

This was on a tree stump and it was exuding some liquid that was squirmishly close in likeness to blood. Any ideas what it is, please? Someone suggested beaf steak fungus and it had a vague resemblance in texture to velvet tooth fungus in my book.

NickCantle · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 11:40 AM

I recognise it. I'm pretty sure it's not Beefsteak Fungus. I've never seen one bleed...but I did see one similar on the net similar to this.

agrumpycow · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 04:07 PM

I;m sure there's been a post in the last week or two about this species. I can't find it at the moment but I'll keep looking. Have a look in the fungi section.

Tiggrx · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

I;m sure there's been a post in the last week or two about this species. I can't find it at the moment but I'll keep looking. Have a look in the fungi section.

I think that one was Hydnellum peckii - not sure that it looks quite the same - but the blood effect is equally grusome

NickCantle · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 04:14 PM

Here's the link I reckon you mean

Bleeding Tooth Fungus?

Unfortunately, due to it being an external link, the picture/link has been removed.

Fungus Ken · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 10:23 PM

The Hydnellum species have teeth instead of gills as the spore producing surface, unlike the specimen in the photo which appears to have pores. Abortiporus biennis can also exude red droplets when young but doesn't much resemble the specimen in the picture.

It's a scraggy looking specimen and hard to place but the colour and texture don't leave many options other than Fistulina hepatica, so that would be my guess.

Ken

NickCantle · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 10:34 PM

The only reason i'd oppose that suggestion of Fistulina Hepatica is the bleeding. I've seen many beefsteaks and not once have I seen this. I'm probably wrong.

Fungus Ken · #8 (**permalink**) 13-10-2007, 08:31 AM

I'd agree, Nick, that it would be unusual to see Beefsteak exuding droplets. That said, if you squeeze it when fresh it does exude reddish fluid. So if it's inside, then presumably it can come outside???

The porose hymenium rules out other possibilities such as the tooth fungi. So what other options are there?

Ken

chazzpott · #9 (**permalink**) 13-10-2007, 02:30 PM

I thought F.hepatica was the only bracket fungus to exude red juice. I have seen them with red droplets on after a shower of rain. Happy foraging, Chazzpott. (Soon to be Fungi2).