Bitter Oyster

Scientific name: Panellus stipticus

Synonyms: Luminescent bitter oyster, Astringent Panus, The luminescent panellus, The stiptic fungus

Natural habitat: Panellus stipticus is native all over Europe. It can be found on old trees or branches of oak and beech. This fungus is also native to Australia, Pakistan, northern Asia (from the Caucasus to Korea and Japan), North America, North Africa and on the Canary islands.

Appropriate substrate: Hardwood (most suitable: oak, beech)

Usage: Luminescent mushroom for decoration – DEADLY POISONOUS

Usually in Europe the gills of the Panellus stipticus are not glowing. Our strain is an american Luminescent panellus, which is one of his common names and gives a hint to its bioluminescence. The glowing is greenish-blue. Not the entire fruit body glows - only the gills do so - a phenomenon also called "foxfire". This is due to an enzyme called luciferase, acting upon a compound called luciferin, leading to the emission of light much as fireflies do.

The fruiting bodies of Panellus are ochre brown, dark yellow to cinnamon-coloured and reach diameters of approx. 2 to 4 cm. The spores are whitish.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Fungi

Division: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Agaricales

Family: Mycenaceae

Genus: Panellus

Species: P. stipticus

Spores: ellipsoid to allantoid (sausage-shaped) 3-6 x 2-3 µ