At first glance, the rooting polypore looks like it's growing from the soil. Actually, this mushroom grows from rotten wood that is buried in the ground. Unlike other members of the Polyporus species, the rooting polypore has a unique long stem that spreads into the soil.
Cap Diameter:
2 - 35 cm
Odor:
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
In This Article
Attributes
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Rooting polypore
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Attributes of Rooting polypore
Cap Diameter
2 - 35 cm
Height
3 - 16 cm
Cap
Cap 3 - 30 cm; flat, round; dark yellowish brown to reddish brown; dry; with a tiny sterile margin when young
Cap Shape
Convex, Flat, Depressed
Cap Surfaces
Fibrillose-scaly, Velvety
Stem
Stem 3 - 6 cm long, 5 - 10 mm wide; equal; dirty orangish to slightly brownish; dry
Stem Shapes
Rooting
Stem Surfaces
Smooth to slightly fibrous
Flesh
White; soft but very tough; not changing colors when sliced
Ring
Ringless
Spore Print Color
White
Odor
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
Body Color
Brown
Black
Yellow
Red
Orange
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Rooting polypore grows in woods and wooded areas and it's primarily associated with deciduous trees. Although it appears terrestrial, it actually grows on buried wood such as roots of a dead deciduous tree or dead roots of a living tree.
