Silver leaf fungus / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Inedible
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 de-composer 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
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:
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.
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.
Flesh
Tough and rubbery when active and moist, brittle when dry. 2-5mm thick
Smell:
Not distinctive
Spores
White, sporulating September to May
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.
Potential lookalikes
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.
Uses
Inedible tough,
Extra Notes from the foragers
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