Second Polypore

As mentioned on the previous post, last weekend I went mushroom picking I found two polypores (and only that). Polypores are mushrooms characterized by the presence of many pores (hence the name) under the cap. They usually grow on wood but can also grow from the ground.

I already described the first mushroom recently, so here goes the second:

Habitat:  this specimen was found growing on a fallen branch close to other two individuals from the same species (gregarious).


Measurements:
Pileus - Fan shaped with 4 cm of length and 7 cm of width.
Stipe - Very short, 0.5 cm of diameter.




Description:
Pileus - Pileate, cream/orange cuticle, appresed fibrilose (short hair compressed against cuticle), margin is fringed, plane, surface is dull, smell is not distinctive, flesh is soft.

Hymenium - with hexagonal shaped pores, pores are large, cream colored, margin is orange/brown


Stipe - lateral and very small, solid, white colored.

Spore print - I could not obtain one.


Impressions: The characteristics of this specimen fit the description of Polyporus mori pollini, which is an edible mushroom with tough flesh. The name mori refers to Morus alba (white mulberry) where the species was first collected. Recently the name of this mushroom has been changed to Polyporus alveolaris.

Reference: Roody WC. Mushrooms of West Virginia and Central Appalachians, pg 363.