POLYPOREI 



219 



THE SULPHUROUS POLYPORUS 

 Polyporus sulphureus 



Probably the most conspicuous member of our na- 

 tive polyporei remains to be considered among the 

 esculents, though until recently it was included in the 

 black list, Dr. Curtis, of North Carolina, I believe, 

 having first demonstrated its edibility, though pro- 

 nouncing it merely " tolerable." 



The brilliancy of its sulphur-yellow and orange- 

 salmon colors, in association with its large size, ren- 

 ders it a most conspicuous object, especially from its 



habit of growing in dense clusters, often a number 

 of such clusters in close contiguity upon a decay- 

 ing stump or prostrate log, frequently so numerous 

 and so crowded as to completely conceal the bark 



