Crepidotus variabilis

Crepidotus variabilis is a species of saprophytic fungi in the family Crepidotaceae. It is commonly known as a variable oysterling in the United Kingdom and is seen there in autumn.^[2] May occur solitary, but more often in small scattered groups from summer to autumn on twigs and other woody debris of broad-leaved trees. Very common but often confused with Crepidotus cesatii.^[3]

Crepidotus variabilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Crepidotaceae
Genus:	Crepidotus
Species:	C. variabilis
Binomial name
Crepidotus variabilis (Pers.) P. Kumm. 1871[1]
Synonyms
Agaricus albidus Balb., (1804) Agaricus variabilis Pers., 1794 Claudopus variabilis (Pers.) 1876 Dochmiopus variabilis (Pers.) 1887 Hyporrhodius variabilis (Pers.) 1898 Octojuga variabilis (Pers.) 1889[1]

Crepidotus variabilis Mycological characteristics
	Gills on hymenium
	Cap is convex
	Hymenium is free
	Lacks a stipe
	Spore print is buff to pink
	Ecology is saprotrophic
	Edibility is unknown

Description

• Cap: The cap (pileus) of C. variabilis is generally about 0.5 to 2 cm in diameter is white and emerges kidney shaped soon becoming irregular and wavy forming patches of overlapping fruit bodies. The surface is very finely downy to velvety with a more or less smooth margin.^[2][3]
• Gills: On the underside, the gills (lamellae) appear somewhat fringed and are classified as free with no stipe to connect to. The colour of the gills depends on maturity ranging from off-white when young to ochraceous flesh-coloured as the spores mature.^[2]
• Spores: The spore print is pinkish-buff, reflecting the colour of the gills. The ellipsoid-shaped basidiospore of C. variabilis are 5.7 by 3–3.5 μm in size.^[2]
• Absent features: No stipe (stem) or annulus (ring).