Dryad’s Saddle (Polyporus squamosus)

Fungi of the Week

11th September 2019 | Info

Common name: Dryad’s Saddle

Scientific name: Polyporus Squamosus

Introduction: Dryad’s saddle is a bracket fungus that causes white rot in the heartwood of hardwood trees. They can be found alone, in groups of two or three or forming shelves.

Identification:

Cap: Depressed when young and becomes flat and funnel-shaped when old. Dark red to brown scales cover a light ochre background and can get to over 60 cm in diameter.

Pores: White, wide opening and deeply anchored in the flesh of the cap.

Stem: Short and condensed, usually sideways. Cream coloured with a dark brown to black base and mesh markings.

Spores: White.

Flesh: White, young specimens are soft, but get harder with age.

Group: Polypores.

Habitat: Dryad’s saddle is found from May to September on dead or living trunks of broad-leaved trees, usually Elm, Maple, Birch and Ash. They like sunny spots on free-standing trees.

Ecological importance: Dryad’s Saddle plays an important role in the woodland ecosystem by decomposing wood, although it can occasionally be parasitic.

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