Amauroderma

Description:

A tough woody mushroom in the Polyporales Order & the Ganodermataceae family. 'Caps are usually anywhere from 2-4" wide with alternating bands of light and dark brown rings. The underside of the cap has small white to pale grey pores that initially turn red when bruised before turning black; this red-staining behavior is unique in its genus. The light to dark brown stipe usually measures 1/4" to 3/4" wide and anywhere from 1"-5" high.' (The specimen I observed had the following measurements; from 3" to 4" wide cap during the time of my observations. The stem was 1/2" wide and dark brown during the entire length of my observations.)

Habitat:

Normally found in tropical & sub tropical areas, this specimen was a rare find for me in Orlando, Florida, but it is an extremely hot & humid area in NW Orlando near Apopka. I found it growing in a densely wooded forest of Needle Pines and Live Oaks on my family's property. It was near a very large dead pine tree as well as a pile of oak sticks debris. It was growing out of a forest floor of pine needles, pine bark and dead oak debris.

Notes:

I documented it's growth for 2 weeks then mailed the specimen to a mycologist in NY for further analysis. He has already confirmed for me that it is an Amauroderma Rude. When this species was used in breast cancer research, it was found to have the ability to kill more cancer cells than any of the 13 species tested along side it, including Ganoderma lucidum (see plosone.org for the entire study titled "Anticancer Activity of Amauroderma Rude")