Synonyms: Agaricus pelliculosus, Agaricus ursinus, Hemicybe ursina, Lentinellus castoreus, Lentinus pelliculosus, Lentinus ursinus, Lentinus vulpinus, Panellus ursinus, Pleurotus ursinus, Pocillaria pelliculosa, Pocillaria ursina, Resupinatus ursinus.
Common name: Bear Lentinus.
Lentinellus ursinus is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Auriculariaceae. It is a small to medium-sized mushroom with a bear-like or ursine appearance, typically growing 1-4 cm in diameter. The cap is hairy, grayish-brown to dark brown, and often has a distinctive bearskin-like texture. The gills are decurrent, narrow, and crowded. In East and Central Texas, Lentinellus ursinus can be found growing on deciduous trees, particularly oak and elm, in late summer to early fall. It is commonly associated with shaded, moist areas and rich soil. Specimens from this region tend to have a more vibrant brown coloration and a softer, more velvety texture than those found in other parts of North America.
Tinder decay mushrooms Lentinellus ursinus(?) in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 22, 2017
Anderson St, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Bear Lentinellus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, December 7, 2017Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Gills of Bear Lentinellus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, December 7, 2017Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Bear Lentinellus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on a log on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, September 15, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Bear Lentinellus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on wood on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, September 15, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Timber mushrooms Lentinellus ursinus on Kirby Trail in Big Thicket National Preserve. Warren, Texas, November 10, 2018Kirby Nature Trail, Kountze, TX 77625, USA
Underside of a small bear Lentinellus mushroom (Lentinellus ursinus) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, June 7, 2019
Bear Lentinellus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on rotting wood on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, June 7, 2019
Bear cockleshell mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on rotting wood in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, June 26, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Bear cockleshell mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on oak(?) log in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, June 26, 2019Big Creek Trail, Shepherd, TX 77371, USA
Bear cockleshell mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 20, 2019Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Masses of bear cockleshell mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 20, 2019Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Young bear Lentinus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on a fallen tree limb in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, May 30, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Caps of bear Lentinus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on a fallen tree limb in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, May 30, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Bear Lentinus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on an oak log in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, November 10, 20218181 Mumford Road, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Spores of mushrooms Lentinellus ursinus collected 2/2/2022 (on the same oak log as 11/10/2021) in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, February 3, 2022
Bear Lentinus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on an oak(?) log on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, August 27, 2022M96, Lone Star Hiking Trail, San Jacinto County, Texas, 77328, United States
Bear Lentinus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on rotting wood on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, August 27, 2022M96, Lone Star Hiking Trail, San Jacinto County, Texas, 77328, United States
Bear Lentinus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) with their underside on rotting wood on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, August 27, 2022M96, Lone Star Hiking Trail, San Jacinto County, Texas, 77328, United States
Bear Lentinus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) with a wolf spider on rotting wood on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, August 27, 2022M96, Lone Star Hiking Trail, San Jacinto County, Texas, 77328, United States
Caps of bear Lentinus (Lentinellus ursinus) mushrooms near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 31, 2022Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Bear Lentinus (Lentinellus ursinus) mushrooms on an oak log near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 31, 2022Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Spores of mushrooms Lentinellus ursinus, from oak or pine log, collected near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 31, 2022
Mushrooms Lentinellus ursinus on rotting wood in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, September 9, 2022South College Avenue, University Apartments - The Gardens, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77801, United States
Bear Lentinus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on a fallen branch in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Cleveland, Texas, April 22, 2023San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Gills of bear Lentinus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on a fallen branch in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Cleveland, Texas, April 22, 2023San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Bear Lentinus mushrooms (Lentinellus ursinus) on an oak(?) log in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, April 30, 2023Lone Star Hiking Trail, San Jacinto County, Texas, United StatesThe fungus Lentinellus ursinus was observed in East and Central Texas from 2017 to 2023. A total of 27 observations were recorded across various locations, including national forests, parks, and nature trails. The mushrooms were found growing on rotting wood, logs, and fallen tree limbs, often on oak trees. Observations were made during different times of the year, with a concentration in the fall and spring seasons. The mushrooms were typically described as "bear Lentinus" or "bear cockleshell" mushrooms, with some observations noting their distinctive gills and spores. The widespread distribution of these observations suggests that Lentinellus ursinus is a common species in East and Central Texas, thriving in various environments with suitable substrate. The consistent sightings over several years indicate a stable population of this fungus in the region.
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