Which fungus is commonly known as the split gill mushroom?

Which fungus is commonly known as the split gill mushroom? Schizophyllum commune is the answer.

The name refers to its unusual gills, which are divided lengthwise and can curl or split apart as conditions change. Its small, fan-shaped fruit bodies are usually cream, gray, or pale yellow and often grow in dense clusters on rotting wood.

Schizophyllum commune is one of the world’s most widely distributed mushrooms, occurring on decaying timber across many regions and often fruiting throughout the year in suitable climates. It is a saprotroph, so it helps decompose wood, although it is also recognized as an opportunistic environmental pathogen in rare human infections.

The genus name comes from Greek schíza, meaning “split,” while commune means “common” or “shared.” Despite being listed as edible in some references, its small, tough texture makes it very different from culinary mushrooms such as Pleurotus eryngii. Its split gills are the key identification clue, not merely the fan-like shape.