Synonyms: Hemicybe castorea, Hemicybe tomentella, Lentinellus angustifolius, Lentinellus pusio, Lentinellus tomentellus, Lentinellus ursinus, Lentinus angustifolius, Lentinus castoreus, Lentinus tomentellus.
Lentinellus castoreus is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Auriscalpiaceae. It is a small to medium-sized mushroom with a velvety cap that ranges in color from yellowish-brown to dark brown, and has a distinctive beaver-like or castor-like odor. In East and Central Texas, Lentinellus castoreus typically grows on deciduous logs and stumps, particularly those of oak and elm trees, during the spring and fall months. The fungus is relatively rare in the region, but can be found in areas with rich soil and abundant moisture, such as along streams and rivers.
Cockleshell mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on an oak log in red cedar forest Old Washington Town Site Loop Trail in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 2, 2020
Old Washington Town Site Loop Trail, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Gills of cockleshell mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on an oak log in red cedar forest in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 2, 2020Old Washington Town Site Loop Trail, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Caps of cockleshell mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on an oak log in red cedar forest in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 2, 2020Old Washington Town Site Loop Trail, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Gills of cockleshell mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on rotting oak wood in red cedar forest in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 2, 2020Old Washington Town Site Loop Trail, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Close-up of cockleshell mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on an oak log in red cedar forest in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 2, 2020Old Washington Town Site Loop Trail, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Oysterling mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on underside of a pine log on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, December 12, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gills of oysterling mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on underside of a pine log on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, December 12, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus growing under a log in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Found at mushroom walk of GSMS. Cleveland, Texas, June 4, 2022San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Young mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus growing under a log in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Found at mushroom walk of GSMS. Cleveland, Texas, June 4, 2022San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Pleurotoid mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on underside of an oak(?) log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 2, 2023Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Gills of pleurotoid mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on underside of an oak(?) log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 2, 2023Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Close-up of pleurotoid mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on underside of an oak(?) log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 2, 2023Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Gill pattern of pleurotoid mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on underside of an oak(?) log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 2, 2023Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Caps of pleurotoid mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on underside of an oak(?) log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 2, 2023Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Spores of pleurotoid mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus collected a day before in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 3, 2023
Gills of mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on an elm(?) log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 19, 2024Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Caps of mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus on a log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 19, 2024Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Spores of mushrooms Lentinellus castoreus (spore print white, turns dark in lugol), collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 19, 2024Lentinellus castoreus was observed growing on various types of wood, including oak logs, pine logs, and elm logs, in red cedar forests and other wooded areas in East and Central Texas. The fungus was found in several locations, including Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Sam Houston National Forest, Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary, and Lick Creek Park. Observations were made at different times of the year, from February to June, and the mushrooms were seen growing on the underside of logs or on rotting wood. The gills and caps of the mushrooms were photographed, and spore prints were collected, showing a white color that turned dark in lugol. Young and mature mushrooms were observed, with varying sizes and shapes, but all shared characteristic pleurotoid features.
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