unknown bracket type

shroomy · #1 (**permalink**) 21-08-2011, 11:21 AM

hello
new to this forum but not new to mushrooms
two days ago on holiday in north wales, walking in broad leaf woodland came across this rather large specimen (approx 40 cm across)
not chicken of the woods or an oyster. has pores on the underside, smelt pleasent and just mushroomy. very fleshy and not at all stiff like other brackets.
it was growing at the side of the path in a small soil bank, i did not see any evidence of host wood near it.
took pictures to try and identify upon return home but not in any of my mushroom books or on your identify resource.
hope i haven't missed identifying anything obvious.

Morchella · #2 (**permalink**) 21-08-2011, 11:59 AM

Looks like Meripilus giganteus to me

Laura

fairplay · #3 (**permalink**) 21-08-2011, 12:07 PM

Hello Shroomy, and a big welcome to WAB.

I am of the strong opinion that what you have there is an unblemished (despite the nibbling) Meripilus giganteus.

Seems to me you went to great trouble not to disturb it so as to get a good photo - good for you, but if you had bruised it, it would slowly turn darker (where bruised) and I'm sure this would then had given you a prompt in the right direction.

Keep 'em coming.

Neil.

EDIT: It was probably attached to an old hidden Beech stump.

And I now see Laura got in before me ! Atta gal !

shroomy · #4 (**permalink**) 22-08-2011, 06:25 PM

Thanks to the pair of you, I'll go with that one.
I hit the books again, pictures very different in all the books so not surprised I couldn't find it.
One book did say that giant polypore can stem from tree roots quite a distance from a parent tree, probably explains the location of this one in a small cutting at the side of the path.

thanks again
shroomy