Schizophyllum commune

Schizophyllum commune
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Schizophyllaceae
Genus:	Schizophyllum
Species:	S. commune
Binomial name
Schizophyllum commune Fr. (1815)
Synonyms
Agaricus alneus L. (1755) Agaricus alneus Reichard (1780) Agaricus multifidus Batsch (1786) Apus alneus (L.) Gray (1821) Merulius alneus (L.) J.F.Gmel. (1792) Merulius alneus (Reichard) Schumach. (1803) Merulius communis (Fr.) Spirin & Zmitr. (2004) Schizophyllum alneum J.Schröt. (1889) Schizophyllum alneum (Reichard) Kuntze (1898) Schizophyllum commune var. multifidum (Batsch) Cooke (1892) Schizophyllum multifidum (Batsch) Fr. (1875)

Schizophyllum commune Mycological characteristics
	Gills on hymenium
	No distinct cap
	Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable
	Lacks a stipe or is bare
	Spore print is white
	Ecology is saprotrophic or parasitic
	Edibility is unknown

Schizophyllum commune is a species of fungus in the genus Schizophyllum. The mushroom resembles undulating waves of tightly packed corals or a loose Chinese fan. Gillies or split-gills vary from creamy yellow to pale white in colour. The cap is small, 1–4 centimetres (3⁄8–1+5⁄8 in) wide with a dense yet spongey body texture. It is known as the split-gill mushroom because of the unique, longitudinally divided nature of the namesake gills on the underside of the cap. This mushroom is found throughout the world.^[1]

It is found in the wild on decaying trees after rainy seasons followed by dry spells where the mushrooms are naturally collected.