Beefsteak fungus
Fistulina hepatica
A species of Fistulina. Also known as Ox tongue, Beef-steak fungus.
Fistulina hepatica, also known as beefsteak fungus, presents a unique visual—it remarkably mimics a cut of raw meat, and when sliced, it exudes a viscous red fluid, further enhancing its uncanny resemblance to bleeding flesh.
In This Article
Attributes of Beefsteak fungus
Cap Diameter
7 - 20 cm
Height
2 - 25 cm
Cap
Cap 7 - 20 cm across; semicircular, fan-shaped, tongue-like; red, orange, brownish; margin slightly scurfy
Cap Surfaces
Slimy or slightly sticky
Stem
Firm; whitish, liver red, reddish orange, brownish red
Flesh
Thick; soft, watery; whitish, reddish; reddish juice when squeezed
Spore Print Color
Pale pinkish white
Odor
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
Body Color
BrownRedWhiteOrange
Flesh Bruises
Discolor to brown
Growth Form
Solitary, Gregarious
Nutrient Gathering
Saprophytic, Parasitic
Substrate
Wood of Living Trees, Dead Woods
You can find Beefsteak fungus by these plants
Oaks, English oak
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland
Species Status
Widely distributed
Endangered Species
No
Scientific Classification of Beefsteak fungus
Phylum
Club fungi
Class
Mushroom-forming fungi
Order
Gilled fungi
Family
Fistulinaceae
Genus
Fistulina
Toxicity and Edibility of Beefsteak fungus
Is Beefsteak fungus Toxic?
Toxicity information is not available for this mushroom. Always consult with an expert before consuming any wild mushrooms.
