Plicaturopsis crispa

Scientific name:  Plicaturopsis crispa (Fries) Reid
Derivation of name:  Crisp- means "curly" or "crisped"
referring to the crimped or crisped gill-like folds or perhaps
the undulating cap margin.
Synonyms:  Trogia crispa (Pers.) Fr.
Common name(s):  Crimped gill
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Polyporales
Family:   Atheliaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; in overlapping
clusters on decaying branches and trunks of deciduous
trees; year-round.  
Dimensions: Caps 1-2.5 cm wide.   
Cap: Concentrically zoned with yellow-orange, reddish-
brown, and yellow-brown zones; tomentose; margin
undulating. 
Gills: What appear to be gills are better understood as
gill-like or vein-like folds or wrinkles. They may be forked.
Spore print: White.
Stipe: A very short, rudimentary extension of the cap or
absent.
Veil: Absent.
Edibility: Inedible.
Comments: The wrinkled gill-like underside is very
distinctive.

Figure 1. Clusters of overlapping caps of Plicaturopsis
crispa on a fallen hardwood branch. Photo © Gary
Emberger.


Figure 2. The undulating margin of the zoned cap is a
distinctive feature. Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 3. Top and botton views of the crimped gill.
Photo © William Roody.

Figure 4. This branch is turned over to reveal the whitish
gill-like spore-bearing surfaces of the many clustered caps.
Photo© Dianna Smith.

Figure 5. Closer observation of the underside of the cap
reveals the unusual structure of the basidia-bearing surface.
There are no pores, true gills, or teeth here. Photo © Dianna
Smith.

Figure 6. The spore-bearing surface of Plicaturopsis
crispa is described as gill-like or vein-like folds or wrinkles
which may be forked. Photo © Gary Emberger.