Undescribed Timber Decay of Pitch Pine 263 



from an old stump of table mountain pine (Pinus pungens), and 

 one from a log of hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). These last 

 three collections were among the first to be made and at that 

 time no special attention was given to the type of decay produced. 

 Consequently, material is yet lacking by means of which a com- 

 parison might be made of the characteristics of the decay in the 

 wood of other coniferous species. There is no reason for assum- 

 ing, however, that any essential difference could be detected. 



The sporophores of the fungus are in some respects quite 

 variable, yet they can be distinguished with ease after their char- 

 acters are once known. When well developed the sporophore is 

 sessile, but often it is extensively effused-reflexed and sometimes 

 resupinate. Where the pine log lies flat on the ground the 

 fungus is apt to spread itself over needles and chips of pine that 

 happen to lie adjacent to the log. The color of the pileus is gray 

 due to the covering of a grayish tomentum arranged in narrow 

 concentric zones. The hymenium varies in color from flesh- 

 color to orange or brick-red. According to European authorities 

 it may at times be white or cream-colored, but such colors have 

 been observed only in old weathered specimens of our plants. 

 It is quite probable, however, that the depth of color developed 

 is more or less dependent on the abundance of light. At times, 

 and especially when growing over chips and needles of pine, an 

 abundant development of rhizomorphs takes place. These are 

 yellow or light orange in color, cylindric in shape and vary up to 

 almost one millimeter in diameter. The fungus may be de- 

 scribed, as follows : 



Polyporus amorphus Fries 



Pileus coriaceous, sessile, effused-reflexed, or occasionally re- 

 supinate, 0-2 X 1-3 X 0.1-0.3 cm - 5 surface whitish or cinereous, 

 villose-pubescent or tomentose, marked with narrow concentric 

 zones ; context white, 1-2 mm. thick ; tubes less than 2.5 mm. 

 long, the mouths angular, thin walled, flesh-color to orange or 

 brick-red, averaging 2-4 per mm. ; spores allantoid, hyaline, 4-5 X 

 1-2 /ul ; cystidia none ; hyphae not much branched, 3-5 fi. 



On wood of pine (Pinus rigida, P. Strobus, and P. pungens) 

 or running over chips and needles of pine; rarely on wood of 

 other coniferous trees. Probably confined to the northern United 

 States and southern Canada. 



