Any ideas? Found on fallen hardwood, PNW
This is Schizophyllum commune, the common split gill, and they’re really cool!
Not only are they intricately beautiful (especially from beneath, viewing the delicate gills), they’re thought to be the most widespread species of fungi in the world, as they can be found on every continent except Antarctica – and unlike other species which seem to be found that widely spread, these have been shown to actually be the same species, rather than similar species emerging as a result of convergent evolution.
They also have over 20,000 sexes and can only reproduce with other individuals of the same sex!
Although listed as inedible in European guidebooks, they are in fact edible, and widely consumed in the Tropics. I personally have never found them in large enough quantities to be worth collecting, but I intend to try them at some point.
ephal ephalak idon hi-akallabeth 