Trametes villosa is a species of polypore fungus that grows on dead trees, particularly hardwoods. In East and Central Texas, it typically fruits in the summer and fall months, producing semicircular to bracket-shaped caps with velvety, hairy surfaces that range in color from gray to brown. The pores underneath are small and white to cream-colored. It is commonly found on oak, elm, and willow trees, often in shaded, moist areas along streams and rivers. The fungus is saprotrophic, playing a role in decomposing wood and recycling nutrients in the ecosystem.
Resupinate form of polypore mushroom Trametes villosa(?) on a fallen oak twig at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 21, 2019 Lake Somerville Trailway, Somerville, TX 77879, USA
Hairy caps of polypore mushroom Trametes villosa(?) on a fallen oak twig at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 21, 2019 Lake Somerville Trailway, Somerville, TX 77879, USA
Polypore mushrooms Trametes villosa on a fallen twig of easten red cedar in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, September 27, 2020 23880 FM 1155, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Caps of polypore mushrooms Trametes villosa on a fallen twig of easten red cedar in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, September 27, 2020 23880 FM 1155, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Resupinate form of polypore mushrooms Trametes villosa on a fallen twig of easten red cedar in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, September 27, 2020 23880 FM 1155, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Pore surface of mushrooms Trametes villosa on a fallen twig of easten red cedar in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, September 27, 2020 23880 FM 1155, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Large pores of polypore mushrooms Trametes villosa on a fallen twig of easten red cedar in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, September 27, 2020 23880 FM 1155, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Polypore mushroom Gloeophyllum striatum together with Trametes villosa on a fallen dry Eastern red cedar tree (Juniper) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 25, 2021 311 E Brookside Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Hairy cap of polypore mushroom Trametes villosa on a fallen dried Eastern red cedar tree (Juniper) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 25, 2021 311 E Brookside Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Underside of polypore mushroom Trametes villosa on a fallen dried Eastern red cedar tree (Juniper) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 25, 2021 311 E Brookside Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Pore surface of polypore mushroom Trametes villosa on a fallen dried Eastern red cedar tree (Juniper) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 25, 2021 311 E Brookside Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Caps of polypore mushroom Trametes villosa on bark of a fallen dried Eastern red cedar tree (Juniper) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 25, 2021 311 E Brookside Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Polypore mushroom Trametes villosa on a lower side of a fallen dried Eastern red cedar tree (Juniper) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 25, 2021 311 E Brookside Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Resupinate form of polypore mushroom Trametes villosa on a lower side of a fallen dried Eastern red cedar tree (Juniper) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 25, 2021 311 E Brookside Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Prostrate form of polypore mushroom Trametes villosa on a lower side of a fallen dried Eastern red cedar tree (Juniper) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 25, 2021 311 E Brookside Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Polypore mushroom Trametes villosa taken from a fallen Juniper tree in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 25, 2021
Jelly fungus Dacryopinax elegans together with Trametes villosa, Gloeophyllum striatum, young Dacryopinax spathularia and a small Polyporus on a fallen dried Eastern red cedar tree (Juniper) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, June 3, 2021 311 E Brookside Dr, Bryan, TX 77801, USA
Polypore mushroom Trametes villosa on a dried juniper tree at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 20, 2021 Burleson County, Texas, 77863, United States
Polypore mushrooms Trametes villosa from a dry fallen juniper at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, May 7, 2023 723, Lakeview Drive, Burleson County, Texas, 77879, United States
Spores of polypore mushrooms Trametes villosa from dried fallen juniper, collected in Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, May 7, 2023
Resupinate polupore mushroom Trametes villosa on a fallen red cedar (juniper) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024 Lakeview Drive, Burleson County, Texas, United States
Close-up of resupinate polupore mushroom Trametes villosa on a fallen juniper at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024 Lakeview Drive, Burleson County, Texas, United States
Texture of resupinate polupore mushroom Trametes villosa on a fallen juniper at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024 Lakeview Drive, Burleson County, Texas, United States
Growth pattern of resupinate polupore mushroom Trametes villosa on a fallen juniper at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024 Lakeview Drive, Burleson County, Texas, United States
Spores of resupinate polupore mushroom Trametes villosa from a fallen juniper, collected at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024
AI-generated summary of observations
The fungus Trametes villosa was observed in East and Central Texas on multiple occasions between 2019 and 2024. The majority of sightings were on fallen Eastern red cedar (Juniper) trees at Lake Somerville Trailway, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, and Hensel Park. The fungus was found in various forms, including resupinate, hairy cap, and prostrate forms. It often co-occurred with other fungi, such as Gloeophyllum striatum and Dacryopinax elegans. Observations included details on the pore surface, spores, and growth patterns of the fungus. The sightings demonstrate that Trametes villosa is a common species in the region, particularly on decaying cedar trees. The observations provide valuable information on the habitat and characteristics of this fungus in Texas.