Fistulina hepatica
| Fistulina hepatica | |
|---|---|
| beef steak fungus | |
| 1835 illustration | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Fistulinaceae |
| Genus: | Fistulina |
| Species: | F. hepatica |
| Binomial name | |
| Fistulina hepatica | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Boletus hepaticus Schaeff. (1774) | |
| Fistulina hepatica | |
|---|---|
| Pores on hymenium | |
| Cap is flat or offset | |
| Hymenium is decurrent | |
| Stipe is bare | |
| Spore print is pink | |
| Ecology is parasitic | |
| Edibility is edible or choice | |
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.