44 CIRCULAR 143, U. §, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
FISTULINA 
In the genus Fistulina the stem is lateral or very short, the fruiting 
body growing horizontally from trunks of living trees or stumps of 
recently cut trees. It is distinguished from species of Polyporus by 
Figure 40.—Fistulina hepatica. (Hdible) 
the tubes, which are separate from one another and closed at the 
mouth when young. 
FISTULINA HEPATICA. BEEFSTEAK FUNGUS. (EDIBLE) 
(Fig. 40) 
Specimens of this species are always shelving and may be sessile or stipitate. 
The caps are tongue-shaped, the margin is entire, wavy or scalloped, blood red, 
