Old man of the woods
Strobilomyces confusus
A species of Strobilomyces.
The somber fungi known as the Old Man Of The Woods (Strobilomyces confusus) are widespread, found from the Northeastern United States down to Colombia. Their shaggy cap texture is what gave them their common name. The spores they produce are a deep, inky black and have the ability to leave stains.
In This Article
Attributes of Old man of the woods
Cap Diameter
3 - 10 cm
Height
5 - 12 cm
Cap
Cap 3 - 10 cm; convex; whitish to grayish; dry, covered with black scales; the margin hung with a whitish to grayish partial veil
Cap Shape
Convex
Cap Surfaces
Fibrillose-scaly
Stem
Stem 4 - 10 cm long, 5 - 20 mm thick; equal; apex whitish to grayish, dark gray to black below
Stem Shapes
Cylindrical
Stem Surfaces
Scaly
Flesh
Whitish; turning reddish when sliced
Ring
With Ring Zone
Spore Print Color
Black
Odor
Mild, non-distinctive earthy scent.
Body Color
GrayWhite
Flesh Bruises
Discolor to reddish or gray-black
Growth Form
Scattered
Nutrient Gathering
Mycorrhizal
Substrate
On soil
You can find Old man of the woods by these plants
Oaks, Pines
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland
Species Status
Common
Endangered Species
No
Scientific Classification of Old man of the woods
Phylum
Club fungi
Class
Mushroom-forming fungi
Order
Boletes and allies
Family
Boletes
Genus
Strobilomyces
Toxicity and Edibility of Old man of the woods
Is Old man of the woods Toxic?
Toxicity information is not available for this mushroom. Always consult with an expert before consuming any wild mushrooms.
