Hohenbuehelia mastrucata is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Pleurotaceae. It is characterized by its small to medium-sized, funnel-shaped to convex cap, typically measuring 1-4 cm in diameter, with a wavy or lobed margin and a smooth, velvety surface. The gills are decurrent, crowded, and white to cream-colored. The stem is central to eccentric, slender, and hairy. In East and Central Texas, Hohenbuehelia mastrucata has been found growing on the ground in woodlands, often associated with deciduous trees, particularly oak and maple. It typically fruits from spring to fall, with a peak in summer months. The fungus is considered rare to uncommon in the region, but can be locally abundant in areas with suitable habitat.
Woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a small (around 20 cm in diameter) fallen oak (could be other tree) on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Slightly dried woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Underside of slightly dried woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gills of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Caps of slightly dried woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Young woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Partially dried caps of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gills of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a side of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Large number of caps of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Caps and mycelium of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Underside of caps of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Close-up of caps and mycelium of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Pattern of caps of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Cluster of caps of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Overlapping caps of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Small and large caps of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Young caps and mycelium of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Dense caps of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Emerging caps and mycelium of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, December 27, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 13, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gills of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 13, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gill pattern of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 13, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Prostrate form of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 13, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gills of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) with water droplets on underside of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 13, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Large number of caps of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 13, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Overlapping caps of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 13, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Caps and white mycelium of woolly oyster mushrooms (Hohenbuehelia mastrucata) on a broken end of a fallen oak on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 13, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
AI-generated summary of observations
The fungus Hohenbuehelia mastrucata was observed in East and Central Texas, specifically in the Sam Houston National Forest near Richards and Montgomery. The observations were made on December 27, 2020, and January 13, 2021. The fungus grew on fallen oaks, with caps and mycelium forming on the underside and broken ends of the trees. Various stages of growth were observed, including young and mature caps, as well as overlapping and densely packed caps. The gills of the mushrooms were also observed, often with water droplets present. The fungus was found to grow in a prostrate form and in large numbers, with white mycelium visible on some specimens. Overall, the observations provide a detailed look at the growth habits and morphology of Hohenbuehelia mastrucata in its natural habitat.