-Fungi Including Lichens ( Kingdom Fungi)

-Basidiomycete Fungi (Phylum Basidiomycota)

-Higher Basidiomycetes (Subphylum Agaricomycotina)

-Mushrooms, Bracket Fungi, Puffballs, and Allies (Class Agaricomycetes)

-Subclass Agaricomycetidae

-Common Gilled Mushrooms and Allies (Order Agaricales)

-Suborder Pluteineae

-Family Pluteaceae

-Deer Mushrooms (Genus Pluteus)

This fungus is commonly known as deer mushroom, deer shield or fawn mushroom. The scientific name reflects this, with “cervinus” translating to “of or pertaining to a deer". Deer mushrooms grow around the world and are most common in spring and fall. They grow on dead and dying hardwood and aren’t very picky about the tree species.