Old Man of the Woods (<em>S. confusus</em>) (fruiting body) in Howard Co., Maryland (8/25/2013). (Photo ID: 21514 - Psn: 30)

Old Man of the Woods (S. confusus) (fruiting body) in Howard Co., Maryland (8/25/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Richard Orr MBP List

Old Man of the Woods (<em>S. confusus</em>) (fruiting body) in Howard Co., Maryland (8/15/2013). (Photo ID: 21513 - Psn: 40)

Old Man of the Woods (S. confusus) (fruiting body) in Howard Co., Maryland (8/15/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Richard Orr MBP List

Old Man of the Woods (<em>S. confusus</em>) growing in Garrett Co., Maryland (7/15/2018). Determined by Anne Looker. (Photo ID: 136052 - Psn: 75)

Old Man of the Woods (S. confusus) growing in Garrett Co., Maryland (7/15/2018). Determined by Anne Looker.

View Record Details Photo by Kimberly Booth MBP List

Map Snapshot

10 Records

GA AL WA FR CL MO HO BA BC HA CE PG AA CV CH SM KE QA CN TA DO WI SO WO

Status

Found solitary on ground or on well-rotted wood in hardwood or mixed forests.

Description

Cap: According to Bessette, Bessette and Fischer p. 354, this species "...has a slightly smaller cap [than S. strobilaceus], up to 4 3/4" (12 cm) wide, with smaller, erect, often stiff and pointed scales." Light ground color covered with prominent gray/black scales, flattened or erect; convex to flat in age; may have veil remnants along margin; light flesh quickly stains red/orange, then black. Pores: White, then gray, finally black in age; stain reddish, then black. Stalk: Grayish/black; lower portion shaggy; may have one or more rings or ring zones; stains reddish, then black. (J. Solem, pers. comm.)

Compare S. strobilaceus. See also Old Man of the Woods genus page.

Seasonality Snapshot

Resources

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Eating mushrooms can be dangerous. One should do so only with expert advice and great care. MBP accepts no liability for injury sustained in consuming fungi or other biodiversity. Use of media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.

Old Man of the Woods (S. confusus) (fruiting body) in Howard Co., Maryland (8/25/2013). View Record Details Media by Richard Orr.

Old Man of the Woods (S. confusus) (fruiting body) in Howard Co., Maryland (8/15/2013). View Record Details Media by Richard Orr.

Old Man of the Woods (S. confusus) growing in Garrett Co., Maryland (7/15/2018). Determined by Anne Looker. View Record Details Media by Kimberly Booth.