It is distributed in North America and Europe and associated with conifers and rotting wood. The young caps of European specimens are potentially edible.
Taxonomy
It was first described officially as a species of Polyporus by Christian Hendrik Persoon in 1818.[3] In recent decades, it was known most commonly as a species of Albatrellus until molecular research published by Canadian mycologist Serge Audet in 2010 revealed that it was more appropriate in an emended version of the genus Scutiger.[4]
Description
The brownish cap is 6–20 centimetres (2+1⁄2–8in) wide, tending towards a convex kidney shape, sometimes lobed, and flattening with age.[2][5] There are 1–2 whitish pores per millimetre that may discolor pink or greenish. The usually decurrent tubes are up to 5mm long.[2]
The stem is 2.5–8cm (1–3+1⁄4in) long and 1–4cm (1⁄2–1+1⁄2in) thick; it is usually larger at the base, where several mushrooms may be conjoined.[2] The flesh is 5–20 millimetres (1⁄4–3⁄4in) thick and whitish,[5] slowly bruising pinkish; it tastes mild. The spore print is whitish.[2]
It is found in western North America, under conifers and on rotting wood, from August to February.[5] It is somewhat more common in the south than Albatrellus ellisii.[2]
Uses
The caps of young European specimens are reportedly edible, but chewy, after thorough cooking.[2]
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