Stereum striatum

Scientific name:  Stereum striatum (Fr.) Fr.
Derivation of name: Ster- means "tough, firm, solid."
Striat- means "finely furrowed" or"lined" (striate) in
reference to the striate appearance of the upper surface.
Synonyms:  Thelephora sericea Schwein.
Common name(s):   Silky parchment
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Russulales
Family:   Stereaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; on small dead
twigs and branches of ironwood, also called American
hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana); year-round.
Dimensions: Shelf-like caps are 0.5 to 1 cm wide and may
be laterally fused.  
Sterile upper surface:  The upper surface is whitish to buff
or pale brown and covered with small, radiating, silky fibers
giving it a shiny, often silvery appearance. Caps may be
laterally fused.   
Fertile lower surface: Light buff to brown and whitish with
age.    
Edibility: Not edible.  
Comments: The silvery, silky-shiny caps growing on blue
beech are a distinctive combination.


Figure 1. Silky parchment on an ironwood twig.
Photo © Gary Emberger.


Figure 2. Striated caps. Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 3. The lower or fertile surface. Note how several caps
have fused together. Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 4. The lower fertile, basida-bearing surfaces of
several caps. Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 5. This specimen was photographed at the NEMF
2003 foray. Photo © Gary Emberger.