A user-friendly point-and-click key to the
 M
ushrooms of North America
(Copyright©1998-2003 Edward J. Polasek)

Home
About the Key
Glossary
Key 1
Key 2
Key 3
Key 4
Key 5
Key 6
Key 7
Key 8
Key 9
Key 10

 

Key 6

Polypores

 

Does the spore bearing surface consist of free tubes? ...............   .................................

Yes

Does the spore bearing surface consist of pores as united tubes with flesh between them?

Yes

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a Fistulina hepatica

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does it have a hoof-like to shelf-like appearance? ...............    ..............................   .................    ..........................

Yes

Is it stalked; single or several caps, sometimes very large or convex without stalk, often imbricate and shelf-like?

Yes 

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have one of the
 Perennial Conks

Click to continue

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is the cap surface rough, uneven or not shellacked; shaped like a hoof or shelf?

Yes

Is the cap surface smooth, appearing shellacked; shelf-like? .......................

Yes

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is the surface rough and cracked?

Yes

Is the cap surface smooth?

Yes

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does the cap have a conspicuous red band near its margin?

Yes

Is the cap without a red band, rough to deep cracked?

Yes

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a Fomus pinicola

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is the cap surface rough, brown; grows on conifer wood?

Yes

Is the cap surface deeply cracked; grows on hardwoods?

Yes

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a Fomus pini

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it blackish-brown; growing on locust?

Yes

Is it grayish-black to black; growing on hardwoods?

Yes

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a Fomus rimosus

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a Fomus igniarius

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is the cap surface dull gray-brown to gray; hoofed-shaped? .............   ............................

Yes

Is the cap surface brown, usually shelf-like or nearly flat with a small upturned cup?

Yes

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a Fomus tomentarius

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a Fomus igniarius

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a Fomus annosus

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is the cap surface red to orange with white to brown flesh?

Yes

Is the cap surface brown? .............  .........................

Yes

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is the cap red; the flesh white? ...................  ...................

Yes

Is the cap orange-red; flesh light brown?

Yes

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a Ganoderma tsugag

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a Ganoderma lucidum

 

Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have a Ganoderma applanatum
(Artist's Fungus)

 

Top

 

 

Please report any broken links to: cyberschroom@yahoo.com

Copyright©1998-2003 Edward J. Polasek
All Rights Reserved