Stats

Lifespan

A few weeks

Size

Small

Diet

Decomposer

Biome

Temperate forest

Range

Worldwide

Movement

Sessile

Breeding

Spores

Defense

Camouflage

Status

Common

About

The split gill is one of the most widespread fungi on Earth, found on every continent except Antarctica. Its distinctive bifurcated 'gills' fold inward when dry and reopen when wet — allowing it to survive repeated desiccation and revive with each rain.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   spore

   A microscopic spore drifts on air or water and germinates where moisture and substrate meet.
2. 2.
   mycelium

   A thread-like mycelium spreads through the substrate, breaking it down into nutrients.
3. 3.
   fruiting body

   A mature fruiting body emerges to release the next generation of spores.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Fungi

Phylum

Basidiomycota

Class

Agaricomycetes

Order

Agaricales

Family

Schizophyllaceae

Genus

Schizophyllum

Species

Schizophyllum commune