Scaly lentinus

Appearance

''Neolentinus lepideus'' fruit bodies are tough, fleshy, agarics of variable size. The cap is at first convex and flattens with maturity while the margin remains inrolled. The cap may grow up to about 12 cm, while the stem grows to about 8 cm in height. The white, cream to pale-brown cap cuticle is distinctively covered with concentrically arranged dark scales which become denser towards the depressed cap centre. The gills are white and their attachment to the stem is adnate to subdecurrent or decurrent. The spore mass is white and the spores are cylindrical in shape. The spore dimensions are 8-12.5 by 3.5-5 µm.

The stem bears the same coloration as the cap and is also covered in dark scales in the region below the white ring.

Distribution

The fungus's fruiting season is spring to autumn and it is common in Europe and North America. There have also been multiple reports of its occurrence in the Western Cape , South Africa.

Habitat

Fruiting bodies of ''Neolentinus lepideus'' are found singly or in tufts emerging from dead and decaying coniferous wood, favouring pines including old stumps, logs and timber. It may also be found in gardens, on man-made wooden structures such as old railroad ties, and in such unusual places as coal mines. Less frequently, it is also found on non-coniferous hardwood. The fungus's fruiting season is spring to autumn and it is common in Europe and North America. There have also been multiple reports of its occurrence in the Western Cape , South Africa.