Deer Mushroom

Pluteus cervinus

Pluteus cervinus, the Deer Mushroom, is a saprotrophic species that has a smooth and brownish cap, sometimes with faint radial fibers that are said to resemble deer fur. The gills are free, and white to pink as the spores mature. The stipe is slender and whitish to brownish in color. It has neither a ring nor a volva, which can help separate it from some superficially similar mushrooms [1][2].

P. cervinus is a hardwood decomposer, growing on logs, stumps, and buried wood. Saprotrophic fungi such as P. cervinus help break down lignin and cellulose in wood, converting it into humus and supporting soil life [2][3][4][5].

The Deer Mushroom is a common species found in a variety of habitats, including wood chips in urban environments and old-growth forests, as long as the habitat contains decomposing wood. Its presence can help support the health of the environment by breaking down woody debris [6]. While the species can be used as an edible mushroom if it is young and fresh, it is considered to have a tough texture, and there have been reports of gastrointestinal upset. For this reason, it is often overlooked and used instead as a stabilizer [7].

Pluteus cervinus plays an important role in the environment as a saprotrophic fungus. It is a common species in many regions and can help break down organic matter in the environment [8].

[1] Kuo, Michael. “Pluteus cervinus.” MushroomExpert.com. https://mushroomexpert.com/pluteus_cervinus.html

[2] First Nature. “Pluteus cervinus P. Kumm. – Deer Shield.” First Nature – Fungi of Northern Europe and Northern America. https://first-nature.com/fungi/pluteus-cervinus.php

[3] Plantiary. “Deer Mushroom (Pluteus cervinus) Mushroom Identification, Habitat & Uses.” Plantiary Species Database. https://plantiary.com/mushroom/pluteus-cervinus_367.html

[4] Silva, Jéssica P., Alonso R. P. Ticona, Pedro R. V. Hamann, and Eliane F. Noronha. “Deconstruction of Lignin: From Enzymes to Microorganisms.” Molecules 26, no. 8 (2021): 2299. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26082299

[5] Bugg, Timothy D. H., Mark Ahmad, et al. “Pathways for Degradation of Lignin in Bacteria and Fungi.” Natural Product Reports 28, no. 12 (2011): 1883-1896. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2011/np/c1np00042j

[6] Wikipedia contributors. “Pluteus cervinus.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Last modified April 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluteus_cervinus

[7] QJURE. “Pluteus cervinus | Roe-brown Roof Fungus; Deer Mushroom; Fawn Mushroom.” QJURE Info. https://qjure.com/remedy/pluteus-cervinus/

[8] Fungus Fact Friday. “#142: Pluteus cervinus, the Deer Mushroom – Fungus Fact Friday.” FungusFactFriday.com. Posted May 25 2018; updated June 1 2018. https://www.fungusfactfriday.com/142-pluteus-cervinus/