A lovely looking Polypore

[waynehicks1]

I found this today growing on a fallen tree. The color was amazing in contrast with the moss covered log it was growing on. The underside was covered with white tubes and the fungus itself was thin. I'm thinking Polyporus durus but does anyone else have a differing opinion on this?

Many Thanks

[Chris Yeates]

hi

what type of tree was it on? did it have a stem or was it attached "side-on"?

it look suspiciously like Piptoporus betulinus . . . .

Chris

[waynehicks1]

Hi Chris

I have no idea which species of tree it was growing on. The fungus had a stem and wasn't attached side on like a bracket. I'm positive it isn't Piptoporus betulinus having recorded that species myself many times before.

Wayne

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by waynehicks1

Hi Chris

I have no idea which species of tree it was growing on. The fungus had a stem and wasn't attached side on like a bracket. I'm positive it isn't Piptoporus betulinus having recorded that species myself many times before.

Wayne

fine - rules that out then; do you have a shot of the underside by any chance?

Chris

[FungiJohn]

Panellus serotinus perhaps!

John

PS After viewing more closely and seeing no sign of gills, but likely pores ... Polyporus badius

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

PS After viewing more closely and seeing no sign of gills, but likely pores ... Polyporus badius

= Polyporus durus (Timmerm.) Kreisel

Chris

[waynehicks1]

Ok, Polyporus badius = Polyporus durus, I think we got there in the end .

This is my first record of this species. Is it common in southern England and for this time of the year? I seem to be seeing more brackets than anything else at the moment and was wondering if this is normal for spring? This is only my second year of recording and my first spring so I still have much to learn.

Thanks for your help guys

Wayne

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi Wayne, and welcome to WAB.

Unfortunately, spring is about the worst time of year for fungi spotting - although it is by no means just the autumnal pursuit that some would have you believe.

And if Chris responds - he'll undoubtedly say that you should look for such things as rusts and smuts, and things which grow on dung, and other such delights - as there is no shortage of such things at any time in the year.

I started looking at fungi about two years back (and am now on about rung one of the fungi ladder ), so I know what you mean - old brackets and crusty things aren't immediately inspiring.

There will still be things to be found at any time of year, but you might need to look that bit more carefully, at different habitats, or in places where you hadn't previously considered.

You can be sure that whatever you find though, the WAB fungi forum is probably the best place to discuss it and try to get it identified.

Regards,
Mike.

[waynehicks1]

Thanks for the advice Mike. I have definitely noticed an ebb in the number and variety of fungi these past few months. It does seem to be picking up a little now though. I just hope we get some good rainfall soon, preferably at night when I'm in bed

I have been trying to vary my foraging locations but I must admit to being a bit a woodland freak. I've tried a few cemeteries and river banks recently but somehow I always manage to find my way back to the woods. A recent trip to Holland produced a few interesting finds but I put that down to the fact that they are lower lying and therefore the ground contains much more water than here in the UK. (That's just my own wild hypothesis!)

Anyways WAB has certainly been a great find for me, maybe the best one yet this spring!

Thanks again

Wayne

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by waynehicks1

Ok, Polyporus badius = Polyporus durus, I think we got there in the end .

This is my first record of this species. Is it common in southern England and for this time of the year? I seem to be seeing more brackets than anything else at the moment and was wondering if this is normal for spring? This is only my second year of recording and my first spring so I still have much to learn.

Thanks for your help guys

Wayne

Hi Wayne,

Polyporus durus is common in Southern England. I have recorded in twice in the past few weeks from Hampstead Heath. You may find it to be more frequent during particlular years than others. Whether that is is to do with the lack of moisture/drying out of woody substrates plus warm temperatures as we are experiencing now, I don't know, certaainly interesting though.

Ta

Andy