Bitter Oysterling

Panellus stipticus

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Mushrooms

By Roger Phillips

Published 2006

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Bitter Oysterling Panellus stipticus (Bull.) P. Karst. syn. Crepidopus stypticus (Bull.) Gray (illustrated 60% life size) Cap 1–3cm across, kidney-shaped; pale ochre-brown to cinnamon; minutely scurfy. Stem 5–20×2–5mm, lateral, tapering towards the base; concolorous with cap or paler. Flesh whitish to pale yellowish; taste bitter. Gills attached to rudimentary stem; pale cinnamon. Spores 3–6×2–3¼, elliptical; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat often in crowded tiers on dead branches or stumps, especially of oak; all year. Common. Not edible. Note this fungus was traditionally used as a styptic to coagulate blood.