Umbrella Polypore
Polyporus
Choice edible; forms a large compound cluster of many (often hundreds) small, umbrella-shaped caps atop branched stems; caps 1–4 cm, light brown, centrally depressed (umbilicate), turning ochre with age; flesh white and soft when young, hardening over time; narrow, decurrent, cream pores; spore print white.
Parasitic and saprotrophic on roots of hardwoods—especially oak and beech; grows from underground sclerotia; fruiting bodies appear at the base of trunks or stumps. Rare in Britain, mainly in southern England, and more common in mainland Europe, North America, and Asia.
Edible and choice, but very rare and typically recommended not to be harvested in the UK due to conservation concerns and essential ecological role. No toxicity noted.
Updated 2025-08-26T20:36:18.521Z · Added 2025-08-25T10:01:49.250Z
Part of the shared Foragers Log catalogue · Fungus