Species details
Fused polypore
Albatrellopsis confluens
Traditionally edible
Photo: Vavrin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo source · License
Description
An ochre-yellow ground-dwelling polypore in which several irregular caps are often fused from a common base; the source lists it as edible.
Identification features
Caps are 3–15 cm wide, irregular, ochre-yellow to brown and often fused together. Beneath are very fine white to pale ochre pores that run down the stem.
Identification checklist
Check for several fused ochre caps and fine white pores that do not change colour when pressed.
How to separate similar species
Albatrellus subrubescens is rare and may cause gastrointestinal upset; its pores yellow when pressed.
Habitat
Grows with conifers, often in mixed woods, in groups from summer to late autumn.
Fruiting period
August, September, October
Similar species
- Albatrellus subrubescens
- Sheep polypore (Albatrellus ovinus)
- Wood hedgehog (Hydnum repandum)