Tuberous polypore (Polyporus tuberaster)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Incertae sedis (undefined)
- Order: Polyporales
- Family: Polyporaceae (Polyporous)
- Genus: Polyporus (Polyporus)
- Species: Polyporus tuberaster (Polyporus tuberous)
External description
Hat: the hat has a rounded shape, somewhat depressed in the central part. The diameter of the cap is from 5 to 15 cm. Under favorable conditions, the cap can reach 20 cm in diameter. The surface of the cap has a reddish-yellow color. The entire surface of the cap, especially densely in the central part, is covered with tightly pressed small brown scales. These scales form a symmetrical pattern on the cap. In mature mushrooms, this embossed pattern may not be particularly noticeable.
The flesh in the cap is very elastic, rubbery, whitish. In damp weather, the pulp becomes watery. It has a light pleasant aroma and does not have a special taste.
Tubular layer: The descending tubular layer has a radial pattern that is formed by elongated pores. The pores are not frequent, rather large, and if you take into account the usual characteristics of other tinder fungi, then the pores are simply huge.
Spore powder: white.
Stem: a stem of a cylindrical shape, usually located in the center of the cap. At the base, the leg expands slightly, often curved. The length of the leg is up to 7 cm. Sometimes the leg reaches 10 cm in length. The thickness of the leg is no more than 1.5 cm. The surface of the leg is reddish brown. The pulp in the stem is very tough and fibrous. The main feature of this mushroom is that at the base of the stem, you can very often find strong strands that fix the mushroom in a woody substrate, that is, on a stump.
Spread
The Tuberous Polypore is found from late spring throughout the summer period and until about mid-September. It grows on the remains of deciduous trees. Prefers linden and other similar breeds.
Similarity
The main distinguishing feature of the Polypore is its large pores and central leg. You can also determine the tuberous polypore by the small size of its fruit bodies. By the fruit bodies, the Tuberous Tinder fungus is distinguished from the Scaly Tinder fungus close to it. The symmetrical scaly pattern on the cap distinguishes it from the finely porous, almost smooth, Variable Polypore. However, the genus Polyporus includes many species, so you can probably find a huge number of similar mushrooms.
Edibility
Tuberous tinder fungus is considered an edible mushroom, but only so far as it is not bitter and not poisonous. Perhaps it can even be cooked somehow, that the person did not guess that he was trying to eat Tinder.
Remarks
Often, the fruiting bodies of this fungus, even at a young age, are eaten by some unknown pests; it is difficult to find a whole non-eaten specimen.