Fistulina

Genus of fungi in the class Basidiomycetes, of which one species, the edible beefsteak fungus F. hepatica, is common to Britain. It grows principally on old oak trees, and is so called because it resembles meat, oozing a blood-like liquid when cut. Its spores are produced from pores in its underside. It causes the staining known as ‘brown oak’, which eventually causes the timber to decay.