Laura Smith
There are several types of mushrooms that have hairy or fuzzy appearances. One example is the Rhodactis mushroom, commonly referred to as hairy mushrooms, which are found in the Indo-Pacific region and feature bright green tentacles. Another example is the Hairy Stereum, which has tufts of hair along its upper side and a bright yellow/orange lower surface. Additionally, the Hairy Bracket Mushroom, or Trametes hirsuta, is known for its fuzzy, bracket-like shape and potential medicinal benefits. These mushrooms are typically found during late summer and autumn, taking advantage of cooler and more humid conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Hairy Stereum, Hairy Bracket, Hairy Turkey Tail, Velvet Bracket, Velvet Polypore |
| Scientific Name | Trametes hirsuta |
| Colour | White or cream with a silvery sheen, brown to black edges, darkens to ochre, brown and grey as it matures, green due to algae |
| Shape | Semicircular, irregularly bracket-shaped, kidney-shaped |
| Cap Width | Up to 4" wide |
| Cap Thickness | Up to 2.5" thick |
| Texture | Fuzzy, hairy, shaggy, coarse, dense |
| Pores | Larger and tooth-like |
| Region | Southeastern |
| Season | Late summer, autumn, winter |
| Edibility | Inedible |
| Medicinal Benefits | Potential immunomodulation properties |
| Related Species | Turkey Tail Mushroom, T. villosa |
| Feeding Habits | Feed on meaty foods |
| Genus | Trametes |
| Habitat | Grows on hardwoods |
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What You'll Learn
Hairy Stereum
Stereum hirsutum, commonly known as the Hairy Stereum, is a species of fungus and a plant pathogen that infects coniferous and deciduous trees. The upper surface of the fungus is covered with short, stiff hairs, giving it a hairy appearance, while the lower surface is smoother and is used to release spores. The hairy tufts are more noticeable upon closer inspection. The colour of the fungus varies with age, with younger specimens having a brighter yellow/orange lower surface that fades to a dull grey/brown as the fungus gets older. The cap of the fruiting body is typically between 1 and 5 centimetres wide and can sometimes be fused to form wider shelves. The flesh of the fungus is thin and tough, and it is inedible.
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Hairy Bracket Mushroom
The hairy bracket mushroom, or Trametes hirsuta, is a fun but inedible fungus to find. It is commonly confused with the much-sought-after turkey tail mushroom, although the hairy bracket has medicinal benefits of its own. The mushroom's fruit bodies usually appear in late summer and autumn, but they can also be spotted in winter due to their tough, corky texture.
The hairy bracket mushroom is noticeably fuzzy, with coarse and dense hairs that give it a shaggy appearance. The cap ranges from semicircular to irregularly bracket-shaped or kidney-shaped, and the caps often fuse laterally, creating intricate patterns and textures. The caps are covered by lots of thin, erect, whitish hairs and can grow up to 4″ wide and 2.5″ thick. Initially, the caps appear white or cream, with a silvery sheen imparted by the delicate hairs. The colour around the edge of the cap is usually brown to blackish, and as the mushroom matures, the cap darkens to ochre, brown, and grey. Frequently, the cap is green due to tiny algae living and feeding on it. With age, deep concentric zones of texture and colour emerge, with zonal colouring separated into specific bands of grey to brown.
The hairy bracket mushroom is a saprobic fungus, meaning it derives its nutrients from the decomposition of dead or dying organic matter, specifically the wood of hardwood trees. It is primarily found in the southeast, and while it may be hard to differentiate from other species based on physical appearance, it can be distinguished by its pores, which are larger and have a tooth-like appearance.
The name Trametes is derived from the Latin prefix “tram”, meaning thin, and the suffix “-etes”, signifying “one who is”. This describes the slender, bracket-like form of the fruitbodies within this genus. The name “hirsuta” comes from the Latin word “hirsutus”, which means “coarsely hairy” or “shaggy”.
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Neon Green Hairy Mushroom
The Rhodactis indosinensis, commonly known as the Neon Green Hairy Mushroom, is a species of coral with a poison green or neon green base and fluorescent green tentacles protruding from its soft tissue. This variety can grow very large, with a single polyp around 1.5" when opened. Rhodactis mushrooms are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. They are often kept in reef tanks and aquariums and are a great choice for both beginner and experienced hobbyists due to their hardy nature and vibrant colours.
Rhodactis mushrooms are corallimorphs, which means they have a coral-like appearance. They come in a wide variety of colours and patterns, with some varieties being highly sought-after by reef enthusiasts. While most Rhodactis mushrooms are affordably priced, the Bounce Mushroom variety is the most expensive coral on the market today.
Rhodactis mushrooms can be fed, and some species feed more aggressively than others. Larger varieties like the Elephant Ear Rhodactis can even consume fish by anesthetizing them as they swim close and then swallowing them as they sleep. It is important to keep these mushrooms in a relatively low-flow area of the reef tank, as too much flow can cause them to become stressed and not extend fully.
The Neon Green Hairy Mushroom is easy to keep and propagate in captivity, making it an excellent candidate for aquaculture and a sustainable harvest. Proper acclimation is crucial to reduce the stress imposed on the mushrooms during the shipping process.
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Hairy Trumpet
Other 'hairy' mushrooms include the Hairy Stereum, which turns green with algae and has tufts of hair along its upper side. The underside, which releases the spores, is bright yellow/orange and smoother, but fades to grey/brown as the mushroom gets older.
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Hairy mushrooms in reef tanks
Rhodactis mushrooms, commonly referred to as "hairy mushrooms", are found all over the Indo-Pacific region, including Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. They are a great choice for reef tanks because of their ease of care, variety of available colours, and overall coolness factor. They are simple corals to care for and can be found easily online or at local fish stores.
Hairy mushrooms are known to adjust to any lighting by changing their location inside reef tanks. They require low to moderate lighting with a PAR range between 75 and 250. All lighting fixtures (T5s, metal halides, or LEDs) will grow your hairy mushrooms very well as long as the correct PAR levels are provided. For coloration, a 14-20K colour spectrum is best. As far as water movement goes, a low to moderate flow is recommended, but hairy mushrooms tend to do better with a more gentle flow. Too much flow may cause the mushroom to detach from its plug or fitting and seek a new location within the aquarium.
Hairy mushrooms come in a variety of colours, including pink, brown, green, and red/brown with contrasting-coloured tentacles, adding striking patterns to your reef aquarium. Some Rhodactis mushrooms have a purple or green base and bright green tentacles. They can grow very large, so it is recommended to leave at least 6 inches between your hairy mushroom and other corals.
Hairy mushrooms can be fed small pellets or powdered foods. Some species feed more aggressively than others, but most will fold up over meaty foods into an onion-like shape. Very large Rhodactis mushrooms like the Elephant Ear variety can consume fish by anesthetizing them as they swim close and then swallowing them as they sleep.
If you do not want your hairy mushroom to dominate your main rock structure, you can create a 'mushroom island' by mounting different mushroom corals on one larger rock and placing it in the middle of your sand bed. When conditions are right, hairy mushrooms are known to grow fast and undergo reproduction via fission or laceration, often over-populating.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several types of mushrooms that look hairy, including the Hairy Stereum, the Hairy Bracket Mushroom, and the Neon Green Hairy Mushroom.
The Hairy Stereum has a brighter yellow/orange lower surface that releases spores. As it gets older, the underside fades to grey/brown. It can also turn green with algae and looks like Martian slime lettuce!
The Hairy Bracket Mushroom is covered by lots of thin, erect, whitish hairs that give it a shaggy appearance. The hairs are coarse and dense. The cap can be semicircular, irregularly bracket-shaped, or kidney-shaped, and is usually brown to black around the edges. The cap can also turn green due to tiny algae living and feeding on it.
