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THE BEEFSTEAK MUSHROOM 



Fistulina hepatica 



Pileus : Diameter, average specimen, about six inches, occa- 

 sionally twice or three times this size; color varying from 

 pinkish to dark meaty red; surface roughened with mi- 

 nute papillae; soft and moist. 



Flesh: Light red, streaked with darker red; tender and juicy 

 in young specimens; juice light red. 



Tube surface : Creamy in color ; tubes distinct from each 

 other, crowded, very short, as shown in section opposite. 



Stem : Short or obsolete, growing at the side. 



Taste : Slightly acid. 



Habitat : On the stumps and trunks of oak and chestnut trees. 



Season: July-September. 



