Winter Polypore ?

Lancashire Lad · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 10:18 PM

Found yesterday, growing on a small moss covered fallen branch.
Cap size about 40mm diam. Stipe height also about 40mm.
Is this Winter Polypore - Polyporus brumalis? (Seems in remarkably good condition for time of year).

Regards
Mike.

ron1863 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 10:23 PM

It looks like it to me Mike though I'm sure one of WAB's experts will ID it. Nice shots too

NickCantle · #3 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 10:36 PM

The black foot of the structure is significant here!

Polyporus leptocephalus

Lancashire Lad · #4 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCantle

The black foot of the structure is significant here!

Polyporus leptocephalus

Hi Nick,

I thought Polyporus leptocephalus - Blackfoot Polypore, when I first saw it, but the pore structure and very flattened cap didn't seem to fit with those I've seen previously, which all generally looked like this, with a more funnel like shape, and slightly rougher pore stucture: -

The shape seemed to fit better with P.brumalis - Winter Polypore, which (from what i've read), can also have a black base to the stipe.

Confused (again)

Regards
Mike.

NickCantle · #5 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 11:44 PM

I see what you mean, and I'd be interested to hear from others. But if I found this specimen in the field, I'd put it down as Polyporus leptocephalus

Probably doing something wrong

Chris Yeates · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCantle

The black foot of the structure is significant here!

Polyporus leptocephalus

Nick's right

either P. leptocephalus (= P. varius) or P. durus (= P. badius)

Andreas would surely sort this one out; if it didn't have clamp connections it would be straightforward, but I can't see that from here . . . .

also, Mike, I would be a bit wary of 'shape' as an identifying character - macro-fungi can be so variable - just look at the Agaricus bisporus on sale at the nearest supermarket!

cheers

Chris

flaxton · #7 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 08:26 AM

Mike

P. leptocephalus has much smaller pores (4-7 per mm) than P. brumalis (2-3 per mm) so that is what I would go with. P. durus has the same small pores but usually has a much richer/darker coloured cap.

Mal

mollisia · #8 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 10:55 AM

Hello,

the polypore Mike shows is definitly Polyporus leptocephalus (or varius, which I would prefer ....).
It may be true that P. brumalis may have a darker stipe base with age, but never that polished black and so contrasting as in the picture of Mike. On the other hand you find young and fresh specimens of P. leptocephalus, where you don't see the blackish stem base, so be careful for those! P. badius (or P. durus, which I will need two more years to get used to ....) has a different shape, with shorter and thicker stipe, which never is central inserted. Also the cap colour is different, being chestnut coloured and quite shiny. The size of the fruitbodies usually also is clearly different between leptocephalus and badius, but you can not always see that in fotos.

best regards,
Andreas

Lancashire Lad · #9 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

....I thought Polyporus leptocephalus - Blackfoot Polypore, when I first saw it....

I should have gone with my first instincts

Thanks once again everyone, especially for the very useful additional information. Hopefully, I can now be more decisive on these in the future.

Regards
Mike.