Inonotus dryadeus

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Inonotus dryadeus
Temporary image of Inonotus dryadeus
Inonotus dryadeus on an oak tree
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Hymenochaetales
Family: Hymenochaetaceae
Genus: Inonotus
Species:
I. dryadeus
Binomial name
Inonotus dryadeus
(Pers.: Fr.) Murr.[1]
Synonyms

Polyporus dryadeus Pers.: Fr.

Inonotus dryadeus (syn. Pseudoinonotus dryadaeus), commonly known as oak bracket, warted oak polypore, weeping polypore or weeping conk, is an inedible species of

white rot
and decay of the trunks. It secretes an amber liquid which weeps from tubes in its upper surface.

Description

A photograph showing a close-up view of the fruit body of the fungus and liquid oozing from tubes in its upper surface
A close-up of the fruit body showing its exudate.

The thick fruiting body of Inonotus dryadeus varies in size from 5 to 30 centimetres (2.0 to 11.8 in) in width,[2] although specimens up to 75 centimetres (30 in) have been found.[3] Its velvety upper surface is cream to rusty brown with a yellower margin, and is pitted with tubes up to 3 cm deep which ooze an orange-brown liquid when the fruit body is young,[1][4] hence the name "weeping conk".[3]

On the buff underside there are 4 to 6 fine pores per millimetre. These are initially greyish-white but mature to yellow or ochre.[5]

The flesh is soft and fibrous, yellow-brown in colour and has an unpleasant odour.[4]

Spores

The

μm.[2]

Similar species

I. cuticularis grows on beech, sycamore and elm.

Habitat and distribution

Inonotus dryadeus is a parasitic

saprobic fungus,[1] with spores entering wounds on broadleaf trees (predominantly oak, although sometimes maple, elm and chestnut).[4]
The fungus is primarily a root decay fungus, rotting the below−ground parts of roots. Detection is often difficult if the conks have not developed. The fruiting conks appear close to the ground on the trunk, thickly attached, and either singly or in groups.

It has been observed in North America and temperate northern Europe, where it is described as widespread but locally common.[4] Fruiting occurs in summer and autumn, but fruit bodies may overwinter and persist for several years, eventually turning black and cracked. Presence of a fruit body may indicate that the mycelium has penetrated and weakened the root crown of the tree.[3]

References

  1. ^
    Messiah College. Archived from the original
    on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0-86272-565-5
    .
  3. ^ a b c Swiecki, Tedmund; Bernhardt, Elizabeth (July 2006). "A Field Guide to Insects and Diseases of California Oaks" (PDF). United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  4. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7513-3696-2
    .
  5. ISBN 978-0-00-723224-6
    .
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