Laura Smith
Polypores, also known as bracket or shelf fungi, are a group of mushrooms that form large fruiting bodies called conks, which are typically woody, circular, shelf- or bracket-shaped, with pores or tubes on the underside. They are mainly found on trees and coarse woody debris, and may resemble mushrooms. Polypores are used in traditional medicine and are actively studied for various industrial applications. They are also used as tinder, to make etchings and beads, and as a food source.
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What You'll Learn
Polypores are a morphological group of mushrooms
Polypores, also called bracket or shelf fungi, are a morphological group of mushrooms. They are basidiomycete-like gilled mushrooms and hydnoid fungi that form large fruiting bodies called conks. These conks are typically woody, circular, shelf- or bracket-shaped, with pores or tubes on the underside. Polypores are mainly found on trees (living and dead) and coarse woody debris, and may resemble mushrooms. However, they differ from typical mushrooms in several ways. Firstly, they frequently have a woody or leathery texture, and some species can live for years. Secondly, they do not have gills underneath the cap, instead having tiny pores. Thirdly, they often lack a stem or have only a short lateral stem.
Polypores form their spores within these pores, which are perfectly vertical. The spores drop down the pore into the air without sticking to the sides. Each growing season, polypores add a new layer of spore tissue, similar to the growth rings in a tree. This results in tough and sturdy structures that are difficult to break or cut. Some polypores form gills like agarics but are still considered part of this group as they form tough fruiting bodies on wood. Bolete mushrooms, which have tubes and central stems with a fleshy texture, are a separate morphological group not included in polypores.
Polypores are important agents of wood decay, aiding carbon dioxide absorption by forest ecosystems. They are also used in traditional medicine and studied for various industrial applications. Some edible polypores, such as "chicken of the woods" or "sulfur shelf" (Laetiporus sulphureus), are known for their chicken-like texture and taste. Other edible varieties include the "hen-of-the-woods" or "sheep's head" (Grifola frondosa) and the "dryad's saddle" or "pheasant's back" (Cerioporus squamosus).
Some polypores, like the "turkey tail" (Trametes versicolor), are widely used for their medicinal properties. The "turkey tail" mushroom has been shown to boost the immune system, inhibit tumour growth, and reduce inflammation. Chaga, a medicinal polypore found on dying birch trees, provides gastrointestinal support and eases chemotherapy side effects. Birch polypore has a long history of use in traditional medicine, dating back to the Iceman found frozen in the Alps, who carried dried birch polypore with him.
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They are also called bracket or shelf fungi
Polypores are a group of basidiomycete-like gilled mushrooms and hydnoid fungi. They are also called bracket or shelf fungi because they form large fruiting bodies called conks, which are typically woody, circular, shelf- or bracket-shaped, with pores or tubes on the underside. These conks lie in close planar groupings of separate or interconnected horizontal rows. Brackets can range from just a single row of a few caps to dozens of rows of caps that can weigh several hundred pounds.
Polypores are mainly found on trees (both living and dead) and coarse woody debris, and they may resemble mushrooms. However, they differ from mushrooms in that they do not have gills underneath the cap but instead have tiny pores. The name "polypore" comes from this feature, meaning "many pores". The pores make them different from most mushrooms, and they also tend to have a short lateral stem or no stem at all.
The shelves of the bracket fungi are formed by the interweaving of thick-walled hyphae (filaments), which makes them tough and difficult to break or cut by hand. This toughness is also what makes them inedible in most cases, although some species are edible and others are used in herbal medicine.
Some well-known examples of edible polypores include "chicken of the woods" or "sulfur shelf" (Laetiporus sulphureus), which is known for its chicken-like texture and taste; "hen-of-the-woods" or "sheep's head" (Grifola frondosa); and "turkey tail" (Trametes versicolor), which is also used in traditional medicine.
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Polypores produce spores differently to mushrooms
Polypores, also called bracket or shelf fungi, are a morphological group of basidiomycete-like gilled mushrooms and hydnoid fungi. They are not your ordinary mushrooms and differ in their shape, texture, and method of spore production. While mushrooms typically have gills underneath the cap, polypores have tiny pores or tubes on the underside, giving rise to their name, which means "many pores". These pores are an important distinguishing feature of polypores, setting them apart from most other mushrooms.
Polypores form large fruiting bodies called conks, which are typically woody, circular, shelf- or bracket-shaped. These conks lie in horizontal rows and can range from a single row of caps to dozens of rows that can collectively weigh several hundred pounds. Most polypores inhabit tree trunks or branches, consuming the wood, while some soil-inhabiting species form mycorrhiza with trees.
The unique feature of polypores is their method of spore production. Polypores produce spores, called basidiospores, within the pores that make up the undersurface of the conks. These pores are lined with spore-producing cells called basidia, and they release the spores through these pores into the air. The structure of the pores ensures that the spores drop down without sticking to the sides. The size of the pores varies between species but remains consistent within a species, and generally, larger pores correlate with larger spores.
While most polypores have a poroid hymenium, a few species, such as Elmerina holophaea and Lenzites betulina, form gills like agarics but are still classified as polypores due to their other similar characteristics. Polypore tubes have a honeycomb-like structure, with fused tubes creating a spore-forming surface called the hymenium. This structure provides shelter for developing spores and increases the area for spore production. Some polypores even produce asexual spores on the upper surface of their caps or without the presence of a sexual fruit body.
In summary, polypores differ from typical mushrooms in their distinctive pore structure, which not only gives them their name but also serves as a key mechanism for spore production and dispersal. This unique feature, along with their tough texture and growth on wood, sets polypores apart from ordinary mushrooms.
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They are edible and used in traditional medicine
Polypores, also called bracket or shelf fungi, are a group of mushrooms that form large fruiting bodies called conks, which are typically woody, circular, shelf- or bracket-shaped, with pores or tubes on the underside. They are mainly found on trees (living and dead) and woody debris, and may resemble mushrooms.
While most polypores are non-toxic, some species are edible and highly sought after. These include the cauliflower mushroom, which resembles wide egg noodles gathered in a clump on the forest floor, and the sheep polypore, found on the ground near conifers, which has a dense, meaty texture and a mild mushroom flavour. Another edible species is the Laetiporus sulphureus, or chicken of the woods, which can be prepared in most of the same ways as actual chicken. However, it can also cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness in some rare cases, so caution should be exercised when consuming this or any other wild mushroom. Fistulina hepatica, also known as the beefsteak mushroom, is another edible species, though it is not a true polypore. It has a reddish-brown cap surface and grows from both living and dead oaks and other hardwoods from late summer through autumn.
Polypores have been used in traditional medicine for centuries and are actively studied for their medicinal properties and potential industrial applications. For example, the Lingzhi Mushroom, also known as Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat high blood pressure, allergies, asthma, insomnia, and as a general immunity booster. Another medicinal species is the Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), which has been shown to boost the immune system, inhibit the growth of tumour cells, and reduce inflammation. It is specifically being studied for its ability to boost the immune system of prostate cancer patients during chemotherapy treatments.
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They are parasitic and cause wood decay
Polypores are a type of fungus that can be found on wood, and they are often considered a wood-decay fungus. While they are not parasitic in the traditional sense, they do cause the breakdown and decay of wood, which can be detrimental to structures and ecosystems.
The parasitic nature of polypores lies in their ability to extract nutrients from wood. They feed on the cellulose and lignin present in wood, breaking down these complex compounds and using them as a source of energy and nutrients. This process of wood decay can be understood as a form of parasitism, as the polypore is deriving its sustenance from the wood, often to the detriment of the wood's structural integrity and the ecosystem that relies on it.
The decay caused by polypores can be categorized into two main types: brown rot and white rot. Brown rot polypores target the cellulose in wood, causing the wood to become brittle and break down into small fragments. White rot polypores, on the other hand, break down both the cellulose and lignin, leading to a more comprehensive decay of the wood, often leaving it soft and fibrous.
This wood-decaying ability of polypores can have significant ecological implications. In natural ecosystems, polypores play an essential role in the carbon cycle, breaking down complex carbon compounds and returning them to the soil. They also contribute to the recycling of nutrients, as the decayed wood becomes food for other organisms. However, in man-made structures, such as buildings and wooden infrastructure, polypore-induced wood decay can be highly destructive and costly.
The parasitic nature of polypores and their wood-decaying abilities have been recognized and studied for centuries, particularly in the fields of mycology and forestry. Understanding the impact of polypores on wood is crucial for effective forest management and the preservation of wooden structures. While they may cause decay, polypores also play a vital ecological role, highlighting the complex relationship between fungi and their environment.
Overall, the parasitic nature of polypores and their ability to cause wood decay is an important aspect of their ecology and interactions with the environment. While they may be detrimental to structures, their role in natural ecosystems is significant, contributing to the cycling of nutrients and the breakdown of wood for energy. Understanding this dual nature of polypores is key to managing and appreciating their impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Polypores, also called bracket or shelf fungi, are a morphological group of mushrooms that form large fruiting bodies called conks, which are typically woody, circular, shelf- or bracket-shaped, with pores or tubes on the underside.
Polypores are different from mushrooms as they do not have gills underneath the cap, instead, they have tiny pores. Polypores also do not have stems or only have a short lateral stem.
Many polypores are edible and taste like chicken when cooked. Some edible polypores include Albatrellus spp., Bondarzewia berkeleyi, Cerioporus squamosus, Fistulina hepatica, Grifola frondosa, Ischnoderma resinosum, Laetiporus cincinnatus, and Meripilus sumstinei. However, some polypores are inedible as they are very tough and bitter-tasting.
Polypores have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. They are also used as a wick in an oil/fat lamp, as tinder, and to make a material similar to leather.
Polypores are mainly found on trees (living and dead) and coarse woody debris. They are often restricted to either deciduous (angiosperm) or conifer (gymnosperm) host trees.
