Panellus mitis (NL: Dennenschelpzwam / EN: Elastic Oysterling / DE: Milder Zwergknäueling, Milder Muschelseitling / FR: Panelle douce). The fruit bodies of Panellus species are small- to medium-sized, and pleurotoid, meaning they grow on wood, have gills, and usually form semicircular or kidney-shaped caps that may be either directly attached to the wood, or connected by short stipes. The stipe is usually connected to the side of the cap, or off-center. The gills on the underside of the cap usually radiate ourward from the attachment point, or may be strongly interveined to form a reticulum. Panellus mitis is a rather nice mushroom, especially from underneath. The cap is shell- to kidney-shaped with a short stem and the size varies between 5 and 30 mm in diameter. It is a common species found on branches of needle-leaved trees on dry, poor soil.

Image: Schilde (BE) – 06/11/2012