Fungus i.d. help

[Words]

Just interested in identifying this fungus growing on a beech stump in our garden. It's been slowly grwoing over the past few months and is beginning to spread, and thicken. Thanks!

[KeenTeen17]

it looks a bit like podoscypha multizonata but I don't think that grows on stumps.

[Words]

Thanks anyway. I'll get a better shot of it. It started out as a small white patch and has gradually widened and darkened, as well as thickened/layered slightly over the past few weeks. Not sure if that helps much?

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by Words

Just interested in identifying this fungus growing on a beech stump in our garden. It's been slowly grwoing over the past few months and is beginning to spread, and thicken. Thanks!

HI there,

What you have there is Meripilus giganteus commonly known as Giant Polypore this is a vigorous pathogen of trees, especially of Beech and Oak upon which it bestows serious damage to the root structure. It continues fruiting long after the tree has been destroyed, which is often felled as a result of the root rot. The root system becomes unstable and thefore poses a risk to the public. Thats if the tree is in a particularly public area.

Hope this helps

Andy

[NickCantle]

Apologies for doubting your diagnosis Andy, but isn't this way too small to be Meripilus giganteus? I'm aware that it has to be relatively small at the first point of its like but this doesn't look like a young basidiome. The range of specimens growing from the left side of the stump suggest to me something more along the Trametes or Bjerkandera (not those genuses in particular, just the structure). As usual Andy, I shall bow to your superior knowledge but I would be very surprised if this was M. giganteus! The colour is spot on and the way it's growing looks fine, but as Ken would say 'the jizz isn't right'.

Having said that, if it is, that's so many ID's you've just sorted out for me- i see specimens like this a lot and have dismissed them as other things.

Nick

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Apologies for doubting your diagnosis Andy, but isn't this way too small to be Meripilus giganteus? I'm aware that it has to be relatively small at the first point of its like but this doesn't look like a young basidiome. The range of specimens growing from the left side of the stump suggest to me something more along the Trametes or Bjerkandera (not those genuses in particular, just the structure). As usual Andy, I shall bow to your superior knowledge but I would be very surprised if this was M. giganteus! The colour is spot on and the way it's growing looks fine, but as Ken would say 'the jizz isn't right'.

Having said that, if it is, that's so many ID's you've just sorted out for me- i see specimens like this a lot and have dismissed them as other things.

Nick

Hi Nick,

This has the definite jizz and look of a young Meripilus to me, either that or I'm still hung over from New Year.

Best

Andy

[NickCantle]

I shall take that as word mate. Apologies for doubting you

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Apologies for doubting your diagnosis Andy, but isn't this way too small to be Meripilus giganteus? I'm aware that it has to be relatively small at the first point of its like but this doesn't look like a young basidiome. The range of specimens growing from the left side of the stump suggest to me something more along the Trametes or Bjerkandera (not those genuses in particular, just the structure). As usual Andy, I shall bow to your superior knowledge but I would be very surprised if this was M. giganteus! The colour is spot on and the way it's growing looks fine, but as Ken would say 'the jizz isn't right'.

Having said that, if it is, that's so many ID's you've just sorted out for me- i see specimens like this a lot and have dismissed them as other things.

Nick

Having said that, on second, third and fourth looks of consideration over this thing, you may well be right in your diagnosis of Bjerkandera, it doesn't look right for Trametes, it is certainly imitating Meripilus very well. It is also the wrong time of year for Meripilus which I have never seen during the winter months. So my apologies for the mis-lead. New Year hangover.



Andy

[Words]

Thanks guys, interesting reading. When it stops raining I'll try to get a better shot (or two). I guess a secondary question is whether I need worry about it in a garden?

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by Words

Thanks guys, interesting reading. When it stops raining I'll try to get a better shot (or two). I guess a secondary question is whether I need worry about it in a garden?

Words,

if you could report back telling us whether it is soft or hard fleshed. If it hard, then it will most likely be Bjerkandera which I believe is the correct diagnosis. If soft fleshed then it will be Meripilus. There is no need to be alarmed and apologies if I have caused you to be. Due to the time of year it most unlikely to be Meripilus.

Andy