Fistulina hepatica, commonly known as the beefsteak fungus, beefsteak polypore, poor man's steak, ox tongue, or tongue mushroom, is a bracket fungus classified in the Agaricales. As its common names suggest, it visually resembles a slab of meat.
The species can be found in Europe, Africa, Australia, and North America. It is edible when cooked, although older specimens may need special preparation.
Taxonomy
Fistulina is classified in the family Fistulinaceae; Fistulina is a cyphelloid genus, meaning that it is closely related to gilled fungi, but its fertile surface consists of smooth cup-shaped elements instead of gills. The underside (the hymenium) is a mass of tubules which represent a "reduced" form of the ancestral gills.
Etymology
The genus name is a diminutive of the Latin word fistula and means "small tube", whilst the species name hepatica means "liver-like", referring to the consistency of the flesh.
Description
The cap is wide and thick. Its shape resembles a large tongue and it is rough-surfaced. It is pinkish-red when young, darkening to reddish-brown with age. The hymenium is creamy-white. The flesh bleeds a dull red juice when cut, which can cause stains. but can also be found in North America, although older specimens should be soaked overnight, as their juice can cause gastric upset. It does not tend to preserve well.
External links
- mushroomexpert.com Description and additional links
- Beefsteak fungi and Brown Rot on oak.