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EDIBLE AND POISONOUS MUSHROOMS OF CANADA
SCHIZOPHYLLUM
The name Schizophyllum means 'split leaf and refers to the characteristic
lamellae, which appear to be split along the edge and to fold back during dry
weather.
Only one species is known in Canada but it is rather common. It suggests
a Pleurotus in habit but is very different in texture. It is tough and leathery and
inedible, although according to Singer the islanders in the Dutch East Indies
and Madagascar chew the fruit bodies. The species of Schizophyllum may be of
some importance as wood destroyers.
SCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE Fr. Not edible
Figure 237, page 153
PILEUS i/i-l in. broad, thin, leathery-tough, densely matted-tomentose,
pale grayish buff to grayish white, whitish when dry, sessile, fan-shaped to
shell-shaped when laterally attached, vase-shaped expanding to saucer-shaped
when attachment is central or excentric, margin incurved and lobed. lamellae
radiating from the point of attachment, uncrowded, thick and tough,
grayish white or with a faint pinkish cast, densely hairy under a lens, appearing
double on the edges because of a groove running the length of the edge of each
lamella, spores smooth, creamy to deep yellowish, cyhndric, about 3.5-5.5 X
1-1.5 M-
On dead wood, often with bases confluent when growing in crowded
clusters, common throughout the growing season.
This httle species is of no interest as food because of its small size and
tough, leathery consistency, but it frequently attracts attention because of its
abundance. It is interesting because of the adaptations to withstand dry
conditions that it exhibits. If the fungus is examined when moist it will be seen
that each of the lamellae is spHt along the edge, and as the fruit body dries out,
the edges curl back and roll outward, protecting the sides of the lamellae from
loss of moisture, while at the same time the margin of the pileus also rolls
inward and in this condition the fungus can survive considerable periods of
drying. When re-moistened the margin of the pileus spreads out, the lamellae
unroll and the fruit body commences to shed spores again.
TROGIA
Only a single species of this genus occurs in Canada. It is a small, white-
spored, rather tough, wood-inhabiting fungus, that tends to fold up in dry
weather and to revive again when moistened. It has no stipe. The most char-
acteristic feature is the lamellae which are thick, blunt on the edge, and very
much crisped and irregular.
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