Polyporus brumalis

[ Basidiomycetes > Polyporales > Polyporaceae > Polyporus . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

This small, dark brown polypore distinguishes itself from similar species by having a stem which does not become black, a smooth (rather than hairy) cap margin, and tiny circular pores. It fruits on the dead wood of hardwoods, and has a special affinity for birch. The tough fruiting bodies are persistent and can be found year-round, but it tends to come up fresh in fall and spring.

Polyporus brumalis is probably "edible," but it is much too tough and leathery to consider for the table.

Description:

Ecology: Saprobic on decaying wood of hardwoods and especially frequent on dead birch wood; growing alone or gregariously; fall and spring, but found nearly year-round; widely distributed in North America.

Cap: 1.5-10 cm; broadly convex, often with a sunken central depression; round in outline; dry; smooth or finely hairy; yellowish brown to dark brown or reddish brown; the margin usually inrolled, at least when young.

Pore Surface: Whitish; not bruising; running slightly down the stem; 2-3 round pores per mm; tubes to 3 mm deep.

Stem: Central or somewhat off-center; 2.5-5 cm long; 2-5 mm wide; equal; dry; smooth or finely hairy; whitish to grayish or pale brownish; tough.

Flesh: Whitish; thin; very tough.

Microscopic Features: Spores 5-7 x 1.5-2.5 µ; smooth; cylindrical.

REFERENCES: Fries, 1821. (Overholts, 1953; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1981; Gilbertson & Ryvarden, 1986; Phillips, 1991/2005; Lincoff, 1992; Barron, 1999; Roody, 2003.) Herb. Kuo 04309504.

Recent research suggests a close relationship between Polyporus brumalis, Polyporus arcularius, and Polyporus ciliatus--and, astonishingly, a close relationship between these species and gilled mushrooms in the genus Lentinus. [See: Krueger, D. (2002). Monographic studies in the genus Polyporus. Doctoral dissertation, University of Tennessee.]

Further Online Information:

Polyporus brumalis at Roger's Mushrooms
Polyporus brumalis at Fungi of Poland

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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2004, November). Polyporus brumalis. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/polyporus_brumalis.html