| SCIENTIFIC NAME: | MERIPILUS GIGANTEUS |
| VERNACULAR NAME: | GIANT POLYPORE |
|
| Fig 1 |
| FRUIT BODY | 40-90cm in diameter. Numerous rosettes sprout from a common base at the bottom of chosen host. Upper surface is radially grooved with light and dark concentric zones. |
| STIPE | Short and cream coloured. |
| GILLS/PORES | Pores are almost circular and bruise blackish. |
| FLESH | White and fibrous with a pleasant smell. Tastes slightly sour. |
| SPORES | Hyaline, subglobose. |
| HABITAT | Parasitic on deciduous trees especially oak and beech. |
| SEASON | Uncommon. Late summer to autumn. |
| EDIBILITY | Inedible. r |