Panus strigellus is a species of edible fungus that belongs to the family Tricholomataceae. It is characterized by its fan-shaped or semicircular cap, typically 2-6 cm in diameter, with a hairy or velvety surface and a wavy margin. The gills are crowded and descend the stem, which is usually hairy and tapered at the base. In East and Central Texas, Panus strigellus is commonly found growing on decaying logs, stumps, and other woody debris in deciduous forests, particularly those dominated by oak, elm, and willow trees. Fruitings typically occur from spring to fall, with a peak in late summer and early fall. The fungus is widely distributed across the region, including areas such as the Piney Woods, Post Oak Savannah, and Blackland Prairie ecoregions.
Panus strigellus mushroom on a stump in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 28, 2018 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Panus strigellus mushrooms on roadside in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 6, 2018 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Underside of Panus strigellus mushrooms on roadside in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 6, 2018 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Tinder mushrooms Panus strigellus on rotting wood in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 22, 2020 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Mushrooms Panus strigellus on an oak log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 22, 2020 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Underside of mushrooms Panus strigellus in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 22, 2020 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Caps of mushrooms Panus strigellus in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 22, 2020 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Gills of a mushroom Panus strigellus in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 22, 2020 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Hairy cap of a mushroom Panus strigellus in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 22, 2020 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Mushroom Panus strigellus on a fallen tree branch on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 4, 2022 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Cap of mushroom Panus strigellus on a fallen tree branch on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 4, 2022 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Spores of mushrooms Panus strigellus collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 4, 2022
AI-generated summary of observations
Observations of Panus strigellus in East and Central Texas reveal that the fungus grows on various substrates, including stumps, rotting wood, oak logs, and fallen tree branches. It was found in Lick Creek Park, College Station, on multiple occasions between May 2018 and May 2020, with consistent characteristics such as hairy caps and gills. The mushrooms were also spotted in Sam Houston National Forest, north of Montgomery, on Caney Creek Trail and Lone Star Hiking Trail in May 2022. Spores were collected from the latter location, providing further evidence of the species' presence in the region. The fungus appears to thrive in wooded areas with abundant decaying wood, suggesting a preference for humid environments with rich organic matter. Its repeated sightings in these locations indicate a stable population of Panus strigellus in East and Central Texas.