P cervinus Deer Shield
Found on dead wood, of broad-leaved trees, even sawdust. On the recorded sites this species favours mainly oak. The cap varies from 30-150mm across, initially bell shaped, then convex to flattened with a dark bump in the centre, the radiating streaks can vary from a few to many. The highly variable colour is typically dark brown but can be encountered in lighter hues. The felted centre is greasy when wet.
The stem is slightly swollen at the base, umber fibres and pink spores stain the early white surface. The gills are crowded, free, white then drab pink, then pinkish brown with a smooth white edge. The fibrous, soft to tough flesh is thin in the cap, the gills are deep.
The spore print is pink when dry but red-brown when emerging from a wet specimen. The spores are broadly ellipsoid, smooth, translucent, & occasionally have a major axis of 9.5mm.
Found on Bramshill Plantation, Heath Warren & Warren Heath.