Panus conchatus (Bull: Fries) Fries
Epicrisis: 397. 1838.

Common Name: none

Synonyms: Lentinus torulosus, Panus torulosus, Lentinus conchatus

• Pileus

  Cap 3-9 cm broad, plano-convex becoming centrally depressed at maturity; margin wavy to lobed, inrolled when young, incurved at maturity; surface dry, minutely hairy, nearly smooth, or with small flattened scales in age; color when fresh, violet to lilac-brown, soon fading to vinaceous-brown or tan; flesh white, tough; odor and taste mild.

• Lamellae

  Gills decurrent, close, narrow, pallid when young, becoming buff to tan, frequently tinged violaceus.

• Stipe

  Stipe 2-4 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm thick, solid, tough, pliant, tapering to a narrowed base; attachment variable: central, eccentric or lateral; surface pubescent, sometimes weathering smooth in age, concolorous with the cap, i.e. violaceus when young but fading to tan, usually retaining some lilac tint; veil absent.

• Spores

  Spores 5-7 x 2.5-3 µm, elliptical, smooth, nonamyloid; spore print white.

• Habitat

  Solitary, scattered to occasionally in cespitose clusters on hardwood logs and stumps; fruiting fall and spring.

• Edibility

  Edible, but tough.

• Comments

  Panus conchatus is distinguished by a purplish usually smooth cap which fades to tan, decurrent gills, and lignicolous habit. It looks like a cross between a Blewit (Clitocybe nuda), and an oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), but despite it attractive appearance and non toxic reputation, it's too tough to have culinary value. A related species, Panus rudis, has a conspicuously hairy, reddish-brown cap, sometimes with purple tones when young, but is rare in our area.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Fred Stevens: Panus conchatus (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Panus conchatus (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Panus conchatus (CP)
  • Bob West: Panus conchatus (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Panus conchatus (CP) -- on a hardwood log in Norm Andresens's backyard
  • Michael Wood: Panus conchatus (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik -- Hunting for Mushrooms: Panus conchatus (CP)
  • Elias Fries' fungus plates: Panus conchatus (I)
  • National Botanic Garden of Belgium: Lentinus conchatus (CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Panus conchatus (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 138 (D), p. 139 (P)
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 3): sp. 241 (D, I, & CP) [Lentinus torulosus]
  • Jordan: p. 330 (D & CP) [Lentinus torulosus]
  • Miller: p. 100 (D) [Panus torulosus]
  • Orr & Orr: p. 251 (D)
  • Peglar: p. 134 (D) [Lentinus torulosus]
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)