Silver leaf fungus /Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible

Dominicus Johannes Bergsma, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Michel Langeveld, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Alexis, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Stephen James McWilliam, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The Silver Leaf Fungus (Chondrostereum purpureum) is a fascinating yet inedible fungus often found in UK woodlands, particularly on decaying hardwood trees and stumps.

Known for its role as both a decomposer and a plant pathogen, it’s infamous among gardeners for causing “silver leaf disease” in certain plants.

Despite its striking purplish hues and layered structure, this fungus is not suitable for consumption and should be admired only for its ecological significance.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to identify the Silver Leaf Fungus and understand its unique place in the natural world.

Scientific Name

Chondrostereum purpureum

Common Name

Silver leaf fungus

Family

Cyphellaceae

Habitat and season to find Silver leaf fungus

A common fungal parasite affecting many living trees. Can also live off dead wood as a saprophyte.

Most often seen on species of rose family especially ones in the genus Prunus which are well known fruit trees such as plums, peaches, cherry also apples and hawthorn.

Silver leaf fungus also affects Ash, Beech, Willow, and Sorbus species.

It enters through wounds and causes a silvering on the leaves giving it its common name and eventually killing the branch or the whole tree if left to spread, the effected wood is stained brown.

Identifying Features of Silver leaf fungus

A striking violet fungus turning a dull brown with age.

Silver leaf grows as resupinate ( more plaque-like with no cap)

About 3 cm across extremely undulating, usually several brackets fused together and overlapping.

Michel Langeveld, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Non fertile side

Dense white wooly hairs in a concentric pattern

Fertile side

Tones purple/pink, violet and dark violet then turning brown violet with age.

Alexis, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Flesh

Tough and rubbery when active and moist, brittle when dry. 2-5mm thick

Smell:

Not distinctive

Spores

White, sporulating September to May

Uses/ edibility of the Silver leaf fungus

Inedible tough,

Conservation Considerations

Very common

Silver leaf fungus Could Be Confused With…

Purple polypore bracket Trichaptum abietinum is the same purple colour and on wood but in the shape of fan shaped brackets.

Amylostereum chailletii looks similar but more brown tones

Potentially jelly ear fungus if you hadn’t seen it before, jelly ears are much more jelly like, growing from elder (typically) and ear shaped.

Caution and known hazards

There is one case reported of infection in a non immuno-compromised man, which was treated with anti-fungal medication. As this is the only one, this appears to be extremely rare so not a cause for concern.

Extra Tips and Fun Facts

Silver leaf has been used in New Zealand and the US to target control undesirable species.

Resources

https://www.rhs.org.uk/disease/silver-leaf

Fungi of temperate Europe vol 2

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271019936_use_of_the_silverleaf_fungus_Chondrostereum_purpureun_for_biological_control_of_stump-sprouting_riparian_weedy_weed_tree_species_in_New_zealand