Polypores are a group of tough, leathery poroid mushrooms similar to boletes, but typically lacking a distinct stalk. The technical distinction between the two types of mushrooms is that polypores do not have the spore bearing tissue continuous along the entire underside of the mushroom.
Polypores are often found on rotting logs, and are rot-resistant to the extent that they themselves often last long enough to have moss growing on them.
Due to their texture, edible polypores are rare. However, some have been used in ritual and for utilitarian purposes for ages; the famous Ice Man was found carrying two different polypore species. One was notable for its antibacterial properties. The other was likely used for starting fires.
Two medicinal polypores in use today are the Reishi and the Turkey tail. Research suggests many applications for illnesses related to the immune system and cancer treatment/recovery.
Polypores are a group of tough, leathery poroid mushrooms similar to boletes, but typically lacking a distinct stalk.
The technical distinction between the two types of mushrooms is that polypores do not have the spore bearing tissue continuous along the entire underside of the mushroom.
Polypores are often found on rotting logs, and are rot-resistant to the extent that they themselves often last long enough to have moss growing on them.
Polypores (family Polyporaceae and similar fungi) can be easily distinguished from the other common poroid fungi, the boletes, by their typically hard exterior, their usual "non-mushroom" shape, and their usual growth on wood as wood decomposers.
There are often "sister" genera in the polypores, with seemingly identical characters, except that one causes a white rot and one causes a brown rot.
One common polypore with cystidia is the purple parchment fungus, Trichaptum biforme.
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