Steccherinum oreophilum is a species of tooth fungus that grows on dead wood, typically deciduous trees. In East and Central Texas, it has been found on hardwoods such as oak and elm, often in shaded, moist areas. The fruiting body is resupinate, forming a crust-like layer with small, crowded spines. It is relatively small, usually 1-5 cm in diameter, and has a white to cream-colored appearance.
Hydnaceous mushrooms Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak branch on Little Lake Creek Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, November 11, 2018 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Richards, TX 77873, USA
Close up of a tooth mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak branch on Little Lake Creek Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, November 11, 2018 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Richards, TX 77873, USA
Tooth mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak branch on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 14, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Tooth mushrooms Steccherinum oreophilum(?) on a fallen oak branch on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, January 4, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Hairy cap of hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a cut surface of an oak log on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Side view of hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a cut surface of an oak log on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a cut surface of an oak log on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Close-up of hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a cut surface of an oak log on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Details of hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a cut surface of an oak log on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Resupinate form of a polypore mushroom Trichaptum sector growing together with Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Resupinate form of hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on an oak log on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Teeth of hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on an oak log on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Texture of resupinate form of hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on an oak log on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Resupinate mushrooms Steccherinum oreophilum and Trichaptum sector on underside of a fallen oak on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Hyphae and pores of a resupinate fungus Steccherinum oreophilum on underside of a fallen oak on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Close-up of teeth of hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on an oak log on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, October 30, 2020 State Park Rd 40, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Tooth mushrooms Steccherinum oreophilum on a broken oak branch on Four Notch Loop Trail of Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, January 23, 2021 Four Notch Loop Trail, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Tooth mushrooms Steccherinum oreophilum at the end of a fallen and broken oak branch on Four Notch Loop Trail of Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, January 23, 2021 Four Notch Loop Trail, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Details of hydnoid mushrooms Steccherinum oreophilum on a cracked oak branch on Four Notch Loop Trail of Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, January 23, 2021 Four Notch Loop Trail, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Margin of hydnoid mushrooms Steccherinum oreophilum on a cracked oak branch on Four Notch Loop Trail of Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, January 23, 2021 Four Notch Loop Trail, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Close-up of teeth of hydnoid mushrooms Steccherinum oreophilum on a cracked oak branch on Four Notch Loop Trail of Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, January 23, 2021 Four Notch Loop Trail, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Texture of hydnoid mushrooms Steccherinum oreophilum on a cracked oak branch on Four Notch Loop Trail of Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, January 23, 2021 Four Notch Loop Trail, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Patches of hydnoid mushrooms Steccherinum oreophilum on a side of a fallen oak branch on Four Notch Loop Trail of Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, January 23, 2021 Four Notch Loop Trail, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Teeth of hydnoid mushrooms Steccherinum oreophilum on a side of a fallen oak branch on Four Notch Loop Trail of Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, January 23, 2021 Four Notch Loop Trail, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Resupinate tooth mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak branch on Raccoon Run Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 25, 2021 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Margin of hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 25, 2021 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on underside of a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 25, 2021 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Close-up of hydnoid mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 25, 2021 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Tooth mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a log on Four Notch Loop Trail of Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, October 24, 2021 Four Notch Loop Trail, Walker County, Texas, United States
Tooth mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 29, 2022 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Tooth mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 29, 2022 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Teeth of mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 29, 2022 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Close-up of mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 29, 2022 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Young growth of tooth mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 29, 2022 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Close-up of teeth of mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum on a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 29, 2022 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Spores of mushroom Steccherinum oreophilum collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 29, 2022
AI-generated summary of observations
The fungus Steccherinum oreophilum was observed in East and Central Texas on multiple occasions between 2018 and 2022. The sightings were primarily in Sam Houston National Forest, Huntsville State Park, and Lick Creek Park. The fungus grew on fallen oak branches, logs, and cut surfaces, often in association with other fungi like Trichaptum sector. Observations included various forms of the fungus, such as resupinate and tooth-like structures, and details of its texture, margin, and spores were noted. The sightings occurred during different seasons, with most observations made between October and January. Overall, the data suggests that Steccherinum oreophilum is a common species in the region, particularly on oak substrates, and can be found throughout the year. The observations provide valuable information on the habitat, growth patterns, and morphology of this fungus.