# Stinking Orange Oyster (*phyllotopsis nidulans*) The Stinking Orange Oyster is a bright orange mushroom that can often be found growing on decaying wood. Its unique smell might not be pleasant, but it's a fun find for little explorers! - **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Forests and woodlands, particularly on decaying logs and stumps. - **Also known as:** Rotting Orange Mushroom, Smelly Oyster Mushroom, Stinking Mushroom ![Stinking Orange Oyster](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phyllotopsis_nidulans_60083.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bob Zuberbuhler (Bob Z), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phyllotopsis_nidulans_60083.jpg) ## Appearance The Stinking Orange Oyster is a striking fan-shaped fungus with a bright orange to yellowish cap, often covered in dense, woolly hairs. Its crowded, orange gills radiate from where it attaches to wood, lacking a distinct stem. This gives it a shaggy, cup-like appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Fungi - **Phylum:** Basidiomycota - **Class:** Agaricomycetes - **Order:** Agaricales - **Family:** Phyllotopsidaceae - **Genus:** Phyllotopsis ## Interesting facts - It loves growing in cool, damp weather, even into early winter! - It's called an 'oyster' but isn't a true oyster mushroom genus. - Its name 'nidulans' means 'nestling,' like it's cozy on logs! - Some say its smell is like old garlic or even rancid meat. ## Special abilities - **Stink Alarm:** Stinking Orange Oyster can release a potent smell like rotten cabbage, which might warn off animals from eating it. - **Wood Recycler:** Stinking Orange Oyster can break down dead wood, returning its nutrients to the forest floor to help new plants grow. - **Fuzzy Shield:** Stinking Orange Oyster has a dense, fuzzy outer layer that might protect it from drying out or from small pests. ## Measurements & details - **Edible:** inedible - **Size:** 2-10 cm - **Growth Substrate:** wood - **Season:** Fall to Winter - **Spore Color:** White to pale pink ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Decomposes dead wood of this tree species. - **Depends on:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Breaks down fallen logs and branches. - **Depends on:** [Eastern Hemlock](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-hemlock) (*Tsuga canadensis*) — Found on decaying conifers too. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not touch or eat wild mushrooms. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Stinking Orange Oyster? Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### Is Stinking Orange Oyster edible? inedible ### How big is Stinking Orange Oyster? 2-10 cm ### Where is Stinking Orange Oyster usually found? Forests and woodlands, particularly on decaying logs and stumps. ### What does Stinking Orange Oyster grow on? wood ### When is Stinking Orange Oyster in season? Fall to Winter ### What color are Stinking Orange Oyster spores? White to pale pink ## Where to spot - [Copicut Woods](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/copicut-woods) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Forest Hill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forest-hill-park) — Ohio, US · Park - [Quehanna Wild Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/quehanna-wild-area) — Pennsylvania, US · Nature Reserve - [Consolidated Gold Mine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/consolidated-gold-mine) — Georgia, US · Historic Site - [Ingleside Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ingleside-avenue-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Lake Hudson State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-hudson-state-recreation-area) — Michigan, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Stinking Orange Oyster](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/stinking-orange-oyster) ## More Fungi - [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*) --- Source: [Stinking Orange Oyster: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stinking-orange-oyster)