Hairy Curtain Crust - Stereum hirsutum

Hirsute means hairy, and indeed the upper surface of these irregularly-shaped tiered brackets is distinctly hairy. Individual brackets are 2 to 8 cm across and have irregularly wavy edges. The colours, which are zoned and generally paler towards the margin, darken with age and vary considerably with location, but yellow, orange and brown are most common and often carrying bands of dark green algae, giving an attractive appearance; the underside is smooth and without pores, and a consistent ochre yellow colour. There is no stem.

Stereum subtomentosum is similar but is connected to the wood it grows on by a narrow band, whereas S. hirsutum is joined across more than 50% of its width. The Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor) can look very similar, with zonate fruitbodies, but has tiny pores underneath.

You must photograph the underside as well as the upper surface.

On dead hardwood trees and fallen branches; occasionally on conifers.

All through the year, but shedding spores in autumn.

Common and widespread in Britain.

Very common in Leicestershire and Rutland.