Dryad’s Saddle Fungus
Order: Polyporales
Family: Polyporaceae
Genus: Polyporus
Species: P. squamosus
General Characteristics: This mushroom is saprobic on decaying hardwood logs and stumps and parasitic on living hardwoods causing a white heartrot; growing alone or, more typically, in clusters of two or three; typically found in spring, but also sometimes found in summer and fall. The fruiting body is 5-30 cm broad, up to 4 cm thick; variable in shape but generally fan-shaped or almost funnel shaped; pale tan to creamy yellowish (often darkening in age), with an overlay of darker, brownish scales with a substantial and tough lateral stem that blackens as the mushroom matures, at least towards the base. The pores are large, angular, and frequently irregular; whitish to cream; pore surface not bruising or discoloring. The flesh is thick; soft when young but soon corky and tough, especially towards the stem; white.
Special Adaptations: It plays an important role in woodland ecosystems by decomposing wood, usually elm, but is occasionally a parasite on living trees. Other tree hosts include ash, beech, horse chestnut, lime, maple, poplar, and willow.
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