Beefsteak Fungus – Fistulina Hepatica Gourmet Mushroom

Beefsteak Fungus – Fistulina Hepatica Liquid Culture Syringe cc culture syringe

Fistulina hepatica is an unusual bracket fungus classified in the Agaricales, that is commonly seen in Britain, but can be found in North America, Australia, North Africa, Southern Africa and the rest of Europe. As its name suggests, it looks remarkably similar to a slab of raw meat.

Fistulina, the genus name of the Beefsteak Fungus, means ‘with little pipes or tubes’. What makes Fistulina fungi different from other polypores is that the walls of each tube are separate rather than being shared with neighbouring tubes. The specific name hepatica is a reference to the liver-like appearance of mature Beefsteak Fungus brackets.

Fungi in the genus Fistulina are distinguished by having tubes that are clearly separated from their neighbours. In contrast most other polypores have tubes that are securely fused to one another. (In northern Europe Beefsteak Fungus is the only Fistulina species we are likely to see.)