Hapalopilus nidulans

[ Basidiomycetes > Polyporales > Hapalopilaceae > Hapalopilus . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

This nondescript, fleshy, orangish polypore is often overlooked; it tends to blend in with its surroundings. A drop of KOH anywhere on the fruitbody, however, produces a rather stunning color change to purple or lilac (see the second illustration for an example). Truth be told, KOH is probably not required for successful identification--but it's fun! Like viewing the horned cystidia of Pluteus cervinus or watching the sea-green color change of Xanthoconium separans in ammonia, it's one of those things a true mushroom geek never tires of.

Absent the KOH reaction, Hapalopilus nidulans is recognized by its dull orange colors, the absence of a stem, and the small, angular pores. In eastern North America it is found on hardwood logs and debris, but in the southwest it favors conifer wood.

Field guides list Hapalopilus nidulans as inedible. While I doubt that anything disastrous could occur, it's best not to experiment. And anyway, it's rather tough, and not exactly appetizing.

Description:

Ecology: Saprobic; growing alone or in small groups on decaying logs and sticks; on hardwood debris in the east, or conifer wood in the southwest; spring to fall, or in winter in warmer climates.

Fruitbody: 2.5-12 cm across; irregularly bracket-shaped or kidney-shaped; convex; smooth or finely hairy; dull orange to brownish; without a stem.

Pore Surface: Dull orange to brownish; not bruising; 2-4 pores per mm; pores angular; tubes to 1 cm deep.

Flesh: Dull orange or paler; watery and soft at first, but later quite tough and hard.

Chemical Reactions: All parts purple to lilac with KOH.

Spore Print: White.

Microscopic Features: Spores 3.5-5 x 2-3 µ; smooth; elliptical to cylindrical.

REFERENCES: (Fries) Karsten. (Overholts, 1953; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1981; Arora, 1986; Gilbertson & Ryvarden, 1986; Phillips, 1991/2005; Lincoff, 1992; Roody, 2003.) Herb. Kuo 07160304.

Polyporus nidulans is a former name; Hapalopilus rutilans is a synonym.

Further Online Information:

Hapalopilus nidulans at Roger's Mushrooms

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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2003, August). Hapalopilus nidulans. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/hapalopilus_nidulans.html