| Bondarzewia berkeleyi | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Russulales |
| Family: | Bondarzewiaceae |
| Genus: | Bondarzewia |
| Species: | B. berkeleyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Bondarzewia berkeleyi | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Bondarzewia berkeleyi, commonly known as Berkeley's polypore, [1] or stump blossoms, [2] is a species of polypore fungus in the family Russulaceae. It is a parasitic species that causes butt rot in oaks and other hardwood trees. [3] A widespread fungus, it is found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. [4]
Elias Magnus Fries described the species as Polyporus berkeleyi in 1851. It was moved to the genus Bondarzewia in 1941. [5]
The fan- or shelf-shaped caps grow in overlapping clumps from the bases of oak trees, each capable of growing to 25.5 cm (10 in) diameter. They are various shades of white to pale grey, cream, beige or yellow. The pore surface is white, as is the spore print. The round spores are 7–9 by 6–8 μm and have marked amyloid ridges. The tough white flesh can be up to 3 cm (1.2 in) thick and has a mild taste, which can be bitter in older specimens. The outer edges that cut easily with a knife are quite tender. Although Bondarzewia berkeleyi has been compared to eating shoe leather, [3] some field guides list it as edible. [6] It may be able to be used to strengthen other flavors in dishes, much like tofu. It can also reportedly be used as a meat substitute. [7] Other field guides list it as inedible. [8]
In China it has been recorded from Guangdong and Hunan provinces. [4] [9] The fruit bodies appear over July to October in the United States. [1] A survey of host trees in North Carolina found that it almost always grew on oaks, being recorded from the white oak ( Quercus alba ), scarlet oak ( Q. coccinea ), southern red oak ( Q. falcata ), chestnut oak ( Q. prinus ) and eastern black oak ( Q. velutina ), as well as bird cherry ( Prunus pensylvanica ). [10]
Bondarzewia berkeleyi is a parasitic fungus that primarily affects hardwood trees, particularly oaks (Quercus spp.). It causes a white stringy rot in the roots and heartwood of the lower trunk, typically not extending more than 3–5 feet upwards. The decay is mainly restricted to the heartwood, and external symptoms might include excessive tapering or flaring at the base of the trunk, cracks, seams, and sap flow. The fungus is known for its rapid growth rate compared to other wood-rotting fungi common on oaks. [11]
While primarily a parasite, B. berkeleyi can also act as a saprophyte, thriving on dead hardwood trees or stumps. The fruiting bodies, which are the visible part of the fungus, typically appear at the base of infected trees in summer and fall. [12]
The distribution of B. berkeleyi is widespread, occurring in North America east of the Great Plains, Europe, Asia, and Africa. [6] While its primary host is oak, it has also been observed on other hardwood species such as maple. [13]
Bondarzewia berkeleyi is considered edible when young and tender, but its palatability decreases with age as the flesh becomes tough and bitter. [6] Some sources compare the texture to shoe leather when older, [12] while others suggest that the softer outer edges of young specimens can be consumed. [14]
Preparation methods often involve parboiling or blanching to remove bitterness, followed by slicing and incorporating into stir-fries or other dishes. It's important to note that there are conflicting opinions regarding the edibility of B. berkeleyi. While some field guides list it as edible, [15] others label it as inedible or caution against consumption due to its potential for causing gastrointestinal upset or allergic reactions in some individuals. [16]
If you choose to consume B. berkeleyi, it's crucial to properly identify the mushroom, harvest only young specimens, and thoroughly cook them before consumption. Consulting with a local mycological expert or foraging guide is recommended before consuming any wild mushrooms.
Fistulina hepatica, commonly known as the beefsteak fungus, beefsteak polypore, poor man’s steak, ox tongue, or tongue mushroom, is an unusual bracket fungus classified in the Agaricales, that is commonly seen in Britain and the rest of Europe, but which can be found in North America, Australia, North Africa, and Southern Africa. As its name suggests, it looks remarkably similar to a slab of raw meat. It has been used as a meat substitute in the past, and can still be found in some French markets. It has a sour, slightly acidic taste. For eating, it must be collected young and it may be tough and need to be cooked for a long time.
Laetiporus sulphureus is a species of bracket fungus found in Europe and North America. Its common names are crab-of-the-woods, sulphur polypore, sulphur shelf, and chicken-of-the-woods. Its fruit bodies grow as striking golden-yellow shelf-like structures on tree trunks and branches. Old fruitbodies fade to pale beige or pale grey. The undersurface of the fruit body is made up of tubelike pores rather than gills.
Onnia tomentosa is a species of fungus in the family Hymenochaetaceae commonly known as the woolly velvet polypore. It is frequently found in coniferous forests at higher altitudes, often growing in large groups, rather rare at lower altitudes. It is a plant pathogen, and causes tomentosus root rot, primarily in spruce. It was formerly known as Inonotus tomentosum (Fr.) Teng until molecular phylogenetic analysis led to major revisions in the classification of the Hymenochaetaceae.
Cryptoporus volvatus, commonly known as the veiled polypore or cryptic globe fungus, is a polypore fungus that decomposes the rotting sapwood of conifers. It is an after effect of attack by the pine bark beetle. The fungus was originally described by American mycologist Charles Horton Peck in 1875 as Polyporus volvatus. Cornelius Lott Shear transferred it to the genus Cryptoporus in 1902. The species is inedible.
Panaeolus semiovatus var. semiovatus, also known as Panaeolus semiovatus and Anellaria separata, and commonly known as the shiny mottlegill, ringed panaeolus, common fungus of the feces variety, or egghead mottlegill, is a medium-sized buff-colored mushroom that grows on horse dung, and has black spores. Though nonpoisonous, it is generally regarded as inedible and possessing a rather abysmal taste, and a few people experience gastric upset after consumption.
Meripilus giganteus is a polypore fungus in the family Meripilaceae. It causes a white rot in various types of broadleaved trees, particularly beech (Fagus), but also Abies, Picea, Pinus, Quercus and Ulmus species. This bracket fungus, commonly known as the giant polypore or black-staining polypore, is often found in large clumps at the base of trees, although fruiting bodies are sometimes found some distance away from the trunk, parasitizing the roots. M. giganteus has a circumboreal distribution in the northern Hemisphere, and is widely distributed in Europe. In the field, it is recognizable by the large, multi-capped fruiting body, as well as its pore surface that quickly darkens black when bruised or injured.
Bulgaria inquinans is a fungus in the family Phacidiaceae. It is commonly known by the name black bulgar and black jelly drops.
Hydnellum aurantiacum is an inedible fungus, commonly known as the orange spine or orange hydnellum for its reddish orange or rusty red colored fruit bodies. Like other tooth fungi, it bears a layer of spines rather than gills on the underside of the cap. Due to substantial declines in sightings, this species is listed as critically endangered in the United Kingdom.
Neofavolus alveolaris, commonly known as the hexagonal-pored polypore, is a species of fungus in the family Polyporaceae. It causes a white rot of dead hardwoods. Found on sticks and decaying logs, its distinguishing features are its yellowish to orange scaly cap, and the hexagonal or diamond-shaped pores. It is widely distributed in North America, and also found in Asia, Australia, and Europe.
Urnula craterium is a species of cup fungus in the family Sarcosomataceae. Appearing in early spring, its distinctive goblet-shaped and dark-colored fruit bodies have earned it the common names crater cup, devil's urn and the gray urn. The asexual (imperfect), or conidial stage of U. craterium is a plant pathogen known as Conoplea globosa, which causes a canker disease of oak and several other hardwood tree species.
Grifola frondosa is a polypore mushroom that grows at the base of trees, particularly old growth oaks or maples. It is typically found in late summer to early autumn. It is native to China, Europe, and North America.
Amanita vaginata, commonly known as the grisette or the grisette amanita, is an edible mushroom in the fungus family Amanitaceae. The cap is gray or brownish, 5 to 10 centimetres in diameter, and has furrows around the edge that duplicate the gill pattern underneath. Unlike many other Amanita mushrooms, A. vaginata lacks a ring on the stem.
Mycena pura, commonly known as the lilac mycena, lilac bonnet, is a species of mushroom in the family Mycenaceae. First called Agaricus prunus in 1794 by Christian Hendrik Persoon, it was assigned its current name in 1871 by German Paul Kummer. Mycena pura is known to bioaccumulate the element boron.
Crepidotus mollis, commonly known as the peeling oysterling, soft slipper, jelly crep, or flabby crepidotus, is a species of mushroom. It's edibility is unknown, but it is probably inedible and possibly poisonous.
Albatrellus confluens is a species of fungus in the family Albatrellaceae. It is commonly referred to as fused polypore. It is similar to ovinus, but bitter and with age tend to salmon color.
Cantharellus cinnabarinus, the red chanterelle, is a fungus native to eastern North America. It is a member of the genus Cantharellus along with other chanterelles. Its distinctive red color is imparted by the carotenoid canthaxanthin. It is considered edible and good, fruiting in association with hardwood trees in the summer and fall.
Peziza varia, commonly known as the spreading brown cup fungus, Palomino cup or recurved cup, is a species of fungus in the genus Peziza, family Pezizaceae.
Amanita excelsa, also known as the European false blushing amanita, is a species of agaric fungus in the family Amanitaceae. It is found in Asia, Europe, and North America, where it grows in deciduous forests.
Bondarzewia mesenterica is a species of polypore fungus in the family Bondarzewiaceae. It was first described as Boletus mesentericus by Jacob Christian Schäffer in 1774. Hanns Kreisel transferred it to the genus Bondarzewia in 1984. The species is edible.
Phlebia tremellosa, commonly known as trembling Merulius or jelly rot, is a species of fungus in the family Meruliaceae. It is a common and widely distributed wood-decay fungus that grows on the rotting wood of both hardwood and conifer plants.
Media related to Bondarzewia berkeleyi at Wikimedia Commons