Species details
Giant polypore
Meripilus giganteus
Conditional / expert preparation
Photo: Stephen James McWilliam · CC BY 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A huge clustered polypore with many fan-shaped caps that blacken rapidly when bruised or damaged; young specimens are listed as edible, but the species is on the Red List.
Identification features
The whole fruitbody may exceed 60 cm. Individual caps are fan-shaped, ochre-brown and finely scaly. White to ochre pores blacken rapidly when touched.
Identification checklist
Check the very large clustered growth and especially the strong blackening of pores and flesh when pressed or cut.
How to separate similar species
Grifola frondosa does not blacken as strongly. Bruising reaction is a useful clue in large clustered polypores.
Habitat
Grows at the base of old broadleaved trees and on roots or stumps, often beech, in summer and autumn.
Fruiting period
July, August, September, October
Similar species
- Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
- Polyporus umbellatus
- Mountain polypore (Bondarzewia mesenterica)