Xylobolus frustulatus

Scientific name:  Xylobolus frustulatus (Persoon:Fries)
Boidin
Derivation of name:  
Synonyms:  Sterium frustulosum
Common name(s):   Ceramic parchment
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Russulales
Family:   Stereaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate:  Saprobic; clustered on
hardwood logs, particularly oak; year-round. 
Dimensions: Individual fruitbodies 0.3 to 2 cm wide.    
Description: Fruitbodies occur as crowded, polygonal, woody
plates that resemble broken pieces of tile. The fertile surface is
pinkish-buff to whitish and the outer, sterile surface is
blackish. Colonies of these fungi can cover considerable areas
of wood.      
Edibility: Not edible.  
Comments: Most commonly found on old decorticated oak
logs and stumps.

    

Figure 1. Appearance of ceramic parchment on an oak log.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 2. Xylobolus frustulatus on oak.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 3. Many individual fruitbodies are typically clustered
together like broken pieces of tile.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 4. The light-colored surfaces bear basidia.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 5. Note how tightly clustered the individual "tiles"
are. Photo © George Barron.