Species details
Mountain polypore
Bondarzewia mesenterica
Conditional / expert preparation
Photo: Douglas Smith · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Photo source · License
Description
A large clustered polypore with multiple brown fan-shaped caps, characteristically associated with old fir trees; protected in Slovenia.
Identification features
Several fan-shaped ochre-brown to brown caps arise from a common base. The white to ochre pores beneath do not blacken when pressed.
Identification checklist
Key clues are the large clustered form, fir as host and pores that do not blacken under pressure.
How to separate similar species
Meripilus giganteus blackens strongly when bruised; Grifola frondosa has narrower caps and more often grows with oak or chestnut.
Habitat
Grows parasitically on roots of old fir trees in summer and autumn; uncommon.
Fruiting period
June, July, August, September, October, November
Similar species
- Giant polypore (Meripilus giganteus)
- Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)
- Bondarzewia berkeleyi