Group F - Poroid Fungi with round or angular pores, one
layer of tubes, Whitish to Pale Yellow to light tan context,
and a stem

 

1. Upper surface covered with a brownish or reddish, varnish-like layer or crust.

    Note: A varnished layer, if present, is typically hard, glabrous, and shiny or glossy at least when young.
    Upper surfaces of older varnished specimens may become dull if covered by a layer of deposited spores.

     2. Upper surface and stem covered with a reddish varnish

         3. On coniferous wood only; inner substance creamy white to pale buff......................Ganoderma tsugae

         3. On hardwoods only; inner substance creamy white................................................ Ganoderma lucidum

     2. Upper surface covered with a brownish varnish, stem black .........................................Polyporus badius

1. Upper surface not at all varnished, although sometimes reddish

     4. Pileus upper surface bright orange to salmon colored, without scales; pores small (3-5 per mm)

         5. Pore surface white; occurring as rosettes at base of tree or on ground nearby..........Laetiporus cincinnatus

         5. Pore surface bright yellow; occurring as single pilei to imbricate clusters on trunks of trees
             or fallen logs

             6. On living or dead deciduous trees ..................................................................... Laetiporus sulphureus

             6. On living or dead conifers ............................................................................... Laetiporus huroniensis

     4. Pileus upper surface not bright orange or salmon; if orangish, then caps are scaly and pores are
         large (1-2 mm wide)

         7. Stem more or less branched, giving rise to compound clusters and/or rosettes of laterally stemmed
             or attached pilei; occurring at the base of trees or from buried roots

              8. Pilei small (mainly less than 7 cm broad) and numerous.......................................... Grifola frondosa

              8. Pilei larger (often 10 cm or more broad) and not as numerous

                  9. Basidiocarp becoming blackish where handled and on drying.......................Meripilus sumstinei

                  9. Basidiocarp not becoming blackish .........................................................Bondarzewia berkeleyi

         7. Stem not branched, each stem giving rise to one pileus (Note: stems of 2- 3 pilei may originate from a
             common base); occurring on logs, trunks, and fallen stems.

             10. Stem black or very dark brown at least in part

                 11. Pores 0.25 to 2 per mm............................................................................Polyporus squamosus

                 11. Pores 4 to 8 per mm

                       12. Pileus surface chestnut brown to darker...............................................Polyporus badius

                       12. Pileus surface cinnamon buff to tan ......................................................Polyporus varius

             10. Stem not black or very dark brown

                 13. Stem poorly developed, stubby, lateral; pileus semicircular to kidney-shaped

                       14. Cap margin projecting downward below the level of the tubes; cap pallid to pale brown on top;
                             pores 3-4/mm .......................................................................................Piptoporus betulinus

                       14. Cap margin not projecting downward; cap orange-yellow to reddish-orange (fading with age)
                             on top, scaly; pores 1-2/mm ...................................................................Polyporus alveolaris

                 13. Stem well-developed, central to eccentric; pileus circular in outline

                       15. Pores 2-3 per mm; pileus smoky-brown or smoky-black............................Polyporus brumalis

                       15. Pores 0.5 to 1 per mm; pileus lighter in color

                             16. Cap margin fringed with hairs.........................................................Polyporus arcularius

                             16. Cap margin lacerate, not fringed with hairs ...................................Polyporus craterellus

 

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This page © 2006 by Gary Emberger, Messiah College