GROUP 6. MELANOPUS. PORES LARGE. STIPE BLACK, 

 AT THE BASE AT LEAST. 



POLYPORUS SQUAMOSUS. Pileus thick, tkshy. with soft, 

 white flesh. Surface with large, appressed darker scales. Pores at first 

 shallow- and mere reticulations 18 elongated in diameter, becoming longer 

 and irregular with age, white, soft. Stipe excentric or sub-lateral 

 (rarely central) short, thick, black at the base. Spores oblong, 5-6 x 

 12-15 mic., hyaline, smooth. 



In Europe this is a most abundant species on frondose wood, particularly 

 the ash tree and other cultivated shade trees. It sometimes attains a very large 

 size and is said to do a great deal of damage in the parks and yards, producing 

 rapid decay in the affected trees. It is curious however (and perhaps fortunate) 

 that in the United States it is quite a rare species. I have observed it there 

 but a few times. 



Forms. The specimens vary much in size but are fairly constant in the lead- 

 ing characters. I have collected very thin forms in the United States with central 

 stems. Sometimes abortive, monstrous forms occur in caves or hollow trees and 

 these may be confused with similar monstrosities of Lentinus lepideus. 



Polyporus pallidus was based on a drawing sent Fries from Hungary. The 

 drawing seems to represent only a small scaled form of Polyporus squamosus. 

 A smooth plant has been so referred and recorded by Professor Peck. The same 

 plant by Berkeley was referred to Polyporus Rostkowii. I think they are both 

 correct and both are better classed as scaleless forms of Polyporus squamosus. 

 As to flesh, texture, color and spores they seem to be the same as the ordinary 

 form. 



POLYPORUS LENTINOIDES. This is a Brazilian plant that Dr. Hen- 

 nings so named as a variety of Polyporus squamosus. It is very close to this 

 species but is smooth and the context is firmer. I would place more stress on 

 the difference in context texture than on the surface difference. I have received 

 the same plant from Brazil from Father Rick. 



Fig. 506 

 Polyporus Boucheanus. 



first 



large 



I have never observed this pon 



are this species, young, with such large, shallow pores. 



85 



