Stats

Lifespan: Annual
Size: Small
Diet: Decomposer
Biome: Temperate forest
Range: North America
Movement: Sessile
Breeding: Spores
Defense: Armor
Status: Uncommon

About

This crust fungus grows in flat, shelf-like layers on decaying logs across North America. It lacks gills and instead releases millions of microscopic spores directly from its smooth surface.

Life cycle

1.
spore
A microscopic spore drifts on air or water and germinates where moisture and substrate meet.
2.
mycelium
A thread-like mycelium spreads through the substrate, breaking it down into nutrients.
3.
fruiting body
A mature fruiting body emerges to release the next generation of spores.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Russulales
Family: Stereaceae
Genus: Stereum
Species: Stereum fasciatum