Mysterious fungus-like substance on white willow

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford, Bucks.

Well I'm not at all sure what this is but I felt that the Fungus Forum was probably the best place to post.

Whatever it is, it's "growing" on a mature white willow. I measured it at 105mm top to bottom. It has a spongy feel to it. Help with identification much appreciated.





Bruce

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Bruce Williams

Stony Stratford, Bucks.

Well I'm not at all sure what this is but I felt that the Fungus Forum was probably the best place to post.

Whatever it is, it's "growing" on a mature white willow. I measured it at 105mm top to bottom. It has a spongy feel to it. Help with identification much appreciated.





Bruce

Possibly Inonotus radiatus Bruce
John

[KeenTeen17]

is this the "blob on a tree" I got turned on by in a past thread John?

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks John .

Well as I said, it's on White Willow, however there are quite a lot of Alder trees growing close-by along the near bank of the Great Ouse. Would that increase the likelihood of it being Inonotus radiatus?

Bruce

[fairplay]

I've seen Inonotus radiatus many times when it's young, but not looking like this though and if this was on Salix then I do have doubts, but it has been recorded on other hardwoods and apparently even conifers.

These guttation drops do suggest I. radiatus though, so John could well be right.

Other brackets that produce guttation droplets are Abortiporus biennis, and Inonotus dryadeus.

Neil.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your help Neil.

I've not come across guttation drops of this size before so I did some Googling on suggested id's and found several images with very similar drops. I'll keep an eye on this fungus and see if/how it develops.

Bruce