Oak Polypore

Buglossoporus quercinus (Schrad.) Kotl. & Pouzar

1 Observations
2 months ago Last Observed
Buglossoporus quercinus — Malcolm Storey

Buglossoporus quercinus, commonly known as the oak polypore, is a rare fungal species that primarily grows on old oak hardwood, especially on fallen deadwood such as branches or trunks that remain undisturbed. This fungus is a brown rot species, meaning it decomposes the heartwood of mature oaks, typically those around 300 years or older, often emerging from cuts, wounds, or natural openings in the tree.

The oak polypore is protected under Schedule 8 in the UK, reflecting its conservation status and the importance of preserving its habitat.

Spore Print
Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Native

Distribution

Very uncommon to rare

Habitat

Exclusively on ancient Quercus, usually on the trunk but occasionally on fallen logs and branches

Associates

Quercus

Conservation

VU
VU - Vulnerable

IUCN Red Data List - Buglossoporus quercinus
Assessment date: 2021

8
Schedule 8 — Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981

Legally protected: it is a criminal offence to intentionally pick, uproot, destroy, possess or sell this species.
Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, Schedule 8

Fruiting Body

Obtuse margin. Bruising darker

Cycle annual
Colour
Shape Tongue-shaped, Kidney-shaped
Surface Smooth
Width 5 - 15 cm

Pores

2-4 per mm

Colour
Bruising

Tubes

Up to 4mm thick

Colour

Flesh

Tough

Colour
Odour Pleasant
Taste Mild

Spores

Colour
Type inamyloid
Shape Cylindric, Fusiform
Ornamentation Smooth
Size 6-8 x 2.5-3.5 μm

No observations with location data available for this fungus yet.

Classification

  • ↳ Phylum: Basidiomycota
  • ↳ Subphylum: Agaricomycotina
  • ↳ Class: Agaricomycetes
  • ↳ Order: Polyporales
  • ↳ Family: Fomitopsidaceae
  • ↳ Genus: Buglossoporus

Source: UKSI via NBN Atlas

Synonyms

  • Boletus pulvinus Pers.
  • Boletus quercinus Schrad.
  • Buglossoporus pulvinus
  • Buglossoporus pulvinus (Pers.) Donk
  • Caloporus fuscopellis Quelet
  • Fomitopsis pulvina (Pers.) V. Spirin & J. Vlasák
  • Piptoporus quercinus (Schrad.) P. Karst.
  • Polyporus cadaverinus Schulzer
  • Polyporus quercicola Velen.
  • Polyporus quercinus (Schrad.) Fr.
  • Polyporus quercinus (Schrad.) ex Fr.

Source: UKSI via NBN Atlas

Reference Sources

T. Læssøe, J. H. Peterson (2019) Fungi of Temperate Europe Vol. 2. Princeton University Press.

G. Kibby (2020) Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain & Europe Vol. 1. Geoffrey Kibby.

BMS English Names for Fungi

Genus Buglossoporus

No other species found in this genus.

Latest Observations

View all observations