Giant polypore

Description:

The basidiocarps consist of numerous rosette-like flattened fan-shaped pilei; they are typically 50–200 centimetres (20–79 in) in diameter and 20–80 centimetres (7.9–31 in) high. The individual caps, up to 20–80 centimetres (7.9–31 in) diameter and 1–4 centimetres (0.39–1.6 in) thick, arise from a common basal stem. An older specimen of M. giganteus with brown, zonate pilei. The color of the cap surface is pale tan to dull chestnut brown in young specimens but darkens in age to become concentric zones (zonate) of various shades of brown. The surface is also finely fibrillose with tiny scales (squamules). There are 3 to 6 pores per millimeter on the underside; the pore surface bruises brown and black, helping to distinguish it from the similar species Grifola frondosa. Microscopic features Spores are roughly spherical to ovoid or ellipsoid in shape, with typical dimensions of 6–6.5 × 5.5–6 µm. Under a microscope, they appear translucent (hyaline), smooth, and nonamyloid, meaning that they do not absorb stain from Melzer's Reagant.[1] The basidia—the spore-bearing cells—are club-shaped, 4-spored, and are 22–40 by 7–8 µm.[2] Polypore fungi may be further distinguished by the type of hyphae that makes up their fruiting body. M. giganteus has a so-called monomitic hyphal system, as its fruiting body is composed of only vegetative hyphae

Habitat:

his mushroom can be found growing on hardwoods, more rarely on conifers. According to Ryvarden and Gilbertson in their monograph on the polypores of Europe, M. giganteus grows especially on Quercus and Fagus tree species, but it has also been collected on the hardwoods Acer, Aesculus, Alnus, Betula, Castanea, Celtis, Corylus, Eucalyptus, Laurus, Myrica, Persea, Pittosporum, Platanus, Populus, Prunus, Pyrus, Tilia, Ulmus; it has also been found growing on the coniferous species Abies, Larix, and Pinus.[2] M. giganteus has a circumboreal distribution in the northern hemisphere.[6] It has been collected from Europe, Scandinavia, the area formerly known as the USSR, Iran and Turkey.[7] Although many field guides list it as occurring in North America, this is due to confusion with the related M. sumstinei; M. giganteus is not found in North America.[8][9] A study of the frequency of occurrence of wood-decay fungi on street trees and park trees in Hamburg, Germany found that M. giganteus was the most common species

Notes:

The giant polypore is generally considered inedible, due to its very coarse flesh and mildly acidic taste,[4] although younger specimens may be more palatable; one author notes that it is "eaten in Japan."[5] Also, it may be mistakenly consumed because of its resemblance with the edible species commonly known as Hen of the Woods Medicinal properties The methanol extract from this mushroom has been shown to contain compounds that are significantly cytotoxic to the mouse cancer cell line 3LL Spotted in the S.Joâo Hospital gardens,a place where i never imagined that could sustein such a amazing variety of fungis and trees,beautiful in this season. At first i thougth it was a artist breckt,but they are so many together and i'am not specialist in fungi,i'll wait to see if someone make me a suggestion to have sure