Tripe Fungus

Tripe Fungus - Auricularia mesenterica

Description

The thick fruitbodies are pale greyish-brown, and have a rubbery, cartilaginous texture.  Young specimens are pinkish, and initially form circular patches on the substrate.  These join up to form resupinate mats, eventually reflexing to shelf-like brackets, often in tiers.  The upperside is hairy or velvety, and usually zoned; the lower fertile surface or hymenium is veined and wrinkled and may have a whitish bloom. 

Similar Species

The reflexed brackets can look like a Stereum or curtain crust, but have a wrinkled and veined lower surface and rubbery texture 

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Photograph in habitat; photogrpah both upper and lower surfaces of reflexed specimens; note habitat, substrate and associated tree species. 

Habitat

On stumps and logs of deciduous trees, especially Elm.

When to see it

All year round.

VC55 Status

The reflexed brackets can look like a Stereum or curtain crust, but have a wrinkled and veined lower surface and rubbery texture 

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured squares = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records