Scaly polypore (Cerioporus squamosus)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Incertae sedis (undefined)
- Order: Polyporales
- Family: Polyporaceae (Polyporous)
- Genus: Cerioporus (Cerioporus)
- Species: Cerioporus squamosus (Tinder scaly)
Synonyms:
- Polyporus squamosus
- Melanopus squamosus
- Polyporellus squamosus
- Pestle
Hat: the diameter of the cap is from 10 to 40 cm. The surface of the cap is leathery, yellow. The hat is covered with dark brown scales. At the edges, the cap is thin, fan-shaped. In the lower part, the cap is tubular, yellowish. At first, the cap is kidney-shaped, then it becomes prostrate. Very thick and fleshy. At the base, the cap can sometimes be slightly depressed. The scales are located on the cap in symmetrical circles. The flesh of the cap is juicy, dense and very pleasantly scented. With age, the pulp dries out and becomes woody.
Tubular layer: angular pores, rather large.
Stem: thick stem, often lateral, sometimes eccentric. The leg is short. At the base, the leg is darker in color. Covered with brown scales. In young specimens, the flesh of the leg is soft, whitish. Then it becomes corky, but retains a pleasant aroma. Leg length up to 10 cm. Width up to 4 cm. In the upper part, the leg is light, mesh.
Hymenophore: porous, light with large angular cells. The hats grow like a tile, fan-shaped.
Spore powder: white. The spores are almost white, descending along the peduncle. With age, the spore-bearing layer turns yellow.
Distribution: Scaly Tinder is found on living and weakened trees in parks and deciduous forests. Grows in groups or singly. Fruiting from May to late summer. Promotes the appearance of white or yellow rot on trees. It grows mainly on elms. Sometimes it can form small colonies of accrete fan-shaped fungi. Prefers the forests of the southern regions. In the middle lane, it practically does not occur.
Edible: young tinder fungus is eaten fresh, after boiling. You can also eat pickled and salted. Edible mushroom of the fourth category. Old mushrooms are not eaten, as they become very tough.
Similarity: The size of the mushroom, the black base of the stem, as well as brown scales on the cap do not allow this mushroom to be confused with any other species.
Video about the mushroom Tinder scaly:
Note: Previously, Scaly Tinder was a small mushroom with a cap covered with small scales. It seems that everything converged and the color and scales, but it was Tuberous Tinder, which is considered the younger brother of the large - Polyporus squamosus. This mushroom is completely unusual, a forest hero.