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The Hairy Bracket (Trametes hirsuta) is a common bracket fungus found on dead wood. It is characterized by its hairy upper surface and variable coloration, ranging from grayish to brownish hues. This fungus plays a crucial role in wood decay and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.
How to Identify
- Cap
- The cap is bracket-shaped, typically 3-12 cm wide, and has a hairy or fuzzy texture. The color varies from grayish to brownish, often with concentric zones of different shades.
- Gills
- No gills; instead, it has small, irregular pores on the underside.
- Stem
- Absent; the fruiting body is sessile (attaches directly to the wood).
- Flesh
- The flesh is tough and leathery, with a pale brown color.
- Fruiting body
- Forms a shelf-like or bracket-like structure attached to wood.
- Habitat
- Grows on dead hardwood, causing white rot.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Hairy or fuzzy
- Growth Form: Bracket-like, shelf-like
- Spore Print: White to pale yellow
- Body color: Grayish to brownish
- Odor: Mild, fungal
- Flesh bruises: No significant bruising reaction
- Height: 1-3 cm thick
- Cap Diameter: 3-12 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Saprobic
Safe
SafeNon-toxic, but not typically consumed due to its tough texture.
Quick Check
- Odor: Mild, fungal
- Fruiting: Year-round
- Substrate: Dead hardwood
Where to Find
North America
Deciduous forests, particularly on dead hardwood trees and branches.
Europe
Found on decaying wood in various woodland habitats.
Finding Tips
Habitat
Look for it on fallen logs, stumps, and standing dead trees.
Texture
Check for the distinctive hairy texture on the upper surface of the bracket.
Pores
Examine the underside for small, irregular pores.
Similar Species
Trametes versicolor
Bracket fungus
Also known as: Turkey Tail
Bjerkandera adusta
Bracket fungus
Also known as: Oyster Bracket
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Polyporales
- Family
- Polyporaceae
- Genus
- Trametes
Storage Information
- Max Temperature: N/A
- Freezing duration: N/A
- Min Temperature: N/A
- Refrigeration: N/A
How to Clean
Not typically consumed; cleaning is not applicable.
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