Polyporus umbellatus

Polyporus umbellatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Polyporales
Family:	Polyporaceae
Genus:	Polyporus
Species:	P. umbellatus
Binomial name
Polyporus umbellatus (Pers.) Fr. (1821)
Synonyms
Dendropolyporus umbellatus (Pers.) Jülich

Polyporus umbellatus Mycological characteristics
	Pores on hymenium
	Spore print is white
	Ecology is saprotrophic
	Edibility is choice

Polyporus umbellatus is an edible species of mushroom. It is also called umbrella polypore.

Description

The fruit body is composed of numerous (sometimes several hundred) caps. They are 1–4 centimetres (1⁄2–1+1⁄2 in) across, ^[1] deeply umbilicate, light brown, and form the extremities of a strong, many branched stalk. The compound fungus can be up to 40 cm in diameter. The pores are decurrent, narrow and whitish. ^[1] The stalk is whitish grey, 2.5–7 cm (1–3 in), ^[1] and originates from a strong, underground, tuber-like nodule. The flesh is white and soft, ^[1] hardening with age. The spore print is white. ^[1]

• 
  The many branched stalks
• 
  Growing in the wild
• 
  Caps

Similar species

The caps of Grifola frondosa are less consistently sized and those of Armillaria tabescens have gills. ^[1]

Habitat and distribution

The species grows on roots of old beeches or oak. ^[2] It can be found in eastern North America from May to September. ^[1]

Uses

It is a choice edible mushroom. ^[3]

Bioactive compounds

Polyporus umbellatus may contain bioactive compounds with immunostimulating, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]}

References

1. Audubon (2023). Mushrooms of North America. Knopf. p. 282. ISBN   978-0-593-31998-7.
2. Kunca V., 2011: Ecology and incidence of Polyporus umbellatus in Slovakia. Czech Mycology 63(1): 39–53.
3. "Polyporus umbellatus". Midwest American Mycological Information. 2019-06-25. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
4. Li X, Xu W, Chen J (2010). "Polysaccharide purified from Polyporus umbellatus (Per) Fr induces the activation and maturation of murine bone-derived dendritic cells via toll-like receptor 4". Cell Immunol. 265 (1): 50–6. doi:10.1016/j.cellimm.2010.07.002. PMID   20673883.
5. Zhao YY, Chao X, Zhang Y, Lin RC, Sun WJ (2010). "Cytotoxic Steroids from Polyporus umbellatus". Planta Med. 76 (15): 1755–8. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1249926. PMID   20458671.
6. Sun Y, Yasukawa K (2008). "New anti-inflammatory ergostane-type ecdysteroids from the sclerotium of Polyporus umbellatus". Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 18 (11): 3417–20. doi:10.1016/j.bmcl.2008.04.008. PMID   18439824.
7. Zhou WW, Lin WH, Guo SX (2007). "Two new polyporusterones isolated from the sclerotia of Polyporus umbellatus". Chem Pharm Bull. 55 (8): 1148–50. doi: 10.1248/cpb.55.1148 . PMID   17666835.
8. You JS, Hau DM, Chen KT, Huang HF (1994). "Combined effects of chuling (Polyporus umbellatus) extract and mitomycin C on experimental liver cancer". Am J Chin Med. 22 (1): 19–28. doi:10.1142/S0192415X94000048. PMID   8030616.
9. Ohsawa T, Yukawa M, Takao C, Murayama M, Bando H (1992). "Studies on constituents of fruit body of Polyporus umbellatus and their cytotoxic activity". Chem Pharm Bull. 40 (1): 143–7. doi: 10.1248/cpb.40.143 . PMID   1576664.
10. Zhang YH, Liu YL, Yan SC (1991). "[Effect of Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide on function of macrophages in the peritoneal cavities of mice with liver lesions]". Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 11 (4): 225–6, 198. PMID   1773459.
11. Lin YF, Wu GL (1988). "[Protective effect of Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide on toxic hepatitis in mice]". Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 9 (4): 345–8. PMID   3195347.