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bear lentinus mushroom

bear lentinus mushroom (Lentinellus ursinus)
Photos © Michael Kuo

Features and Behaviors

FEATURES
The cap of the fruiting body grows up to about four inches wide and is kidney-shaped to semicircular. This structure is convex and velvety or hairy at least over the inner third. The cap may be brown, red-brown or tan and has an inwardly rolled margin. Gills are white to pink with saw-toothed edges. A spore print from this species will be creamy white. There is no stem.

BEHAVIORS
This species grows in clusters or groups on deadwood of mainly hardwood trees. It can be found in summer and fall.

Illinois Range

Taxonomy

​Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Russulales
Family: Auriscalpiaceae

Illinois Status: common, native