Image of Splitgill

Description:

Slo.: pahljaica, navadna cepilistka - Habitat: mixed wood, Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies, Ostrya carpinifolia, Fraxinus ornus, Fraxinus excelsior dominant trees; moderately inclined mountain slope, southeast aspect, calcareous, stony ground; relatively warm place; partly protected from direct rain by tree canopies; average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 7 - 9 deg C, elevation 590 m (1.950 feet), alpine phytogeographical region. Substratum: dead Fagus sylvatica branch still in bark lying on ground. Comments: Schizophyllum commune is a very common but also a very unique fungus thriving on five continents of the Earth and in all months of the year. Neither genetic nor cytological research has yet finally answered the question of its phylogenetic status. It grows everywhere - on wood of alive and dead, broad leaved trees and conifers, on sawn timber, on charcoal, on bales of hay wrapped in plastic sheeting, on horns, on leather, on bones and inside nose cavity of humans with certain dysfunction of immune system. It excellently survives drought and is capable to sporulate after moistening after 25 years of being in totally dry state. Really something special in every aspect! The species is easy to recognize. It has uniquely split 'gills' (actually side walls of radially arranged cyphelloid fruit bodies). Literature states the color of its pilei as white, whitish and gray (when wet) to pale ocher. The pilei of this find were of delicate colors and much nicer than usually! Growing in a group of several fruit bodies. Ref.: (1) M. Bon, Parey's Buch der Pilze, Kosmos (2005), p 320. (2) R. Phillips, Mushrooms, Macmillan (2006), p 268. (3) G.J. Krieglsteiner (Hrsg.), Die Grosspilze Baden-Wrttembergs, Band 1., Ulmer (2000), p 412. (4) R.M. Daehncke, 1200 Pilze in Farbfotos, AT Verlag (2009), p 1006. (5) S. Buczacki, Collins Fungi Guide, Collins (2012), p 476.