Gilled Polypore

Description

Lenzites betulina, commonly known as the Gilled Polypore, is a widespread and easily recognizable bracket fungus. Despite its common name and appearance, it is technically a polypore, not a true gilled mushroom. Its distinguishing feature is the labyrinthine or gill-like pore surface on the underside of its cap, which sets it apart from many other bracket fungi. It is a saprobic species, playing a crucial role in the decomposition of dead hardwood, particularly birch, throughout its range.

How to Identify

Cap

Caps are typically 2-10 cm (0.8-4 inches) across and 1-3 cm (0.4-1.2 inches) thick at the attachment point. The upper surface is concentrically zoned, often with bands of grey, brown, buff, and sometimes green (from algae). It is usually velvety or hairy, especially towards the margin, becoming smoother with age. The margin is typically thin and wavy.

Gills

The underside of the cap features a distinctive hymenophore that appears gill-like but is technically a labyrinthine pore surface. These 'gills' are thick, tough, and often anastomosing (interconnected), forming a maze-like pattern. They are typically whitish to cream, becoming yellowish or brownish with age. They are not true gills in the sense of agarics, as they are part of the polypore structure.

Stem

Absent (sessile). The fruiting body is directly attached to the substrate.

Flesh

The flesh is tough, leathery, and whitish to pale cream, becoming corky or woody with age. It is thin, usually 1-3 mm thick.

Fruiting body

The fruiting body is a sessile, fan-shaped to semicircular bracket, typically growing in overlapping clusters or rows. It is tough and leathery when fresh, becoming rigid and woody with age. The upper surface is concentrically zoned with varying shades of grey, brown, and sometimes greenish (due to algae), and is often hairy or velvety, especially when young.

Habitat

Saprobic on dead hardwood, particularly birch (Betula spp.), but also found on oak (Quercus spp.), beech (Fagus spp.), maple (Acer spp.), and other deciduous trees. It causes a white rot.

Key Facts

• Cap surfaces: Velvety to hairy, concentrically zoned with shades of grey, brown, buff, sometimes green.
• Growth Form: Sessile, bracket-like, often in overlapping clusters.
• Spore Print: White
• Body color: Upper surface variable (grey, brown, buff, green); underside whitish to cream, becoming yellowish/brownish.
• Odor: Mild, mushroomy or indistinct.
• Flesh bruises: Does not bruise significantly.
• Height: Not applicable (sessile).
• Cap Diameter: 2-10 cm (0.8-4 inches).
• Nutrient gathering: Saprobic (decomposer).

Quick Check

• Odor: Mild, mushroomy or indistinct
• Fruiting: Year-round, but most prominent in warmer months
• Substrate: Dead hardwood, especially birch

Where to Find

Finding Tips

Similar Species

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Basidiomycota

Class

Agaricomycetes

Order

Polyporales

Family

Polyporaceae

Genus

Lenzites

Storage Information

• Max Temperature: Not applicable for culinary purposes.
• Freezing duration: Not applicable for culinary purposes.
• Min Temperature: Not applicable for culinary purposes.
• Refrigeration: Not applicable for culinary purposes.

How to Clean

Not applicable for culinary purposes. If collected for scientific study or craft, gently brush off any debris. Avoid washing as it can damage the delicate structures.

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