THE POLYPORACEAE OP PAYETTE, IOWA. 
BY GUY WEST WILSON. 
The Polyporaceae are a group of most interesting fungi which have of recent 
years assumed a position of prime economic importance as it has been demon- 
strated that many of them cause the decay of timber trees which formerly they 
were supposed to follow. The parasitic nature of these fungi has added a new 
incentive to their careful study. Some species are found only on the diseased 
portion of living trees, while others appear to inhabit only dead timber. Of 
these it is not improbable that a considerable number may be able to infect 
living timber and later to maintain themselves on the wood as long as those 
portions remain which furnish them with their food. 
' The present paper embodies the field observations upon species of this 
family in the vicinity of Payette. Whilst the list can lay no claim to be other 
than a preliminary paper, several species are recorded as parasites which are 
not so indicated by Dr. Murrill in his monograph of the family,* while others 
are of interest because of the extension of their range. The majority of the 
‘species have been sent to Dr. Murrill for verification. The nomenclature of 
his monograph, which is .the only comprehensive treatment of the American 
species, has been followed and such synonyms added as were necessary to cor- 
relate the list with other publications on Iowa Polyporaceae. 
1. Hydnopoeia euscescens (Schw.) Murrill. {Irpex cinnamomeus Pries.) 
This species, which at maturity has the appearance of a resupinate Hydnum, 
is very common on various oaks. If the tree is still upright the entire surface 
may be covered; but on fallen branches only the lower portion is affected, giv- 
ing quite a varied appearance to the fungus. 
-2. PoMiTiPOEiA OBLiQuiFOEMis Murrill. 
The present species was described from material collected on hard wood 
logs near Cincinnati, Ohio, and is also recorded from Pennsylvania. In our 
territory it occurs both as a parasite and a saprophyte. It has been collected 
several times from wounds on oak and Mr. Learn has found it on Populus 
grandidentata in the northern portion of the ^county. 
3. Iepicipoeus lacteus (Pries) Murrill. {Irpex TuUpiferae (Schw.) Pries.) 
Common on dead and living wood of various species. While usually con- 
sidered a saprophyte this species is a true parasite on various species of wild 
and cultivated Prunaceae. Several cherry orchards in the vicinity, and numer- 
ous examples of the wild cherry have been noted as having succumbed to the 
ravages of this species. One orchard in particular was noted which has been 
almost depleted by the present species in company with Coriolus proUflcans 
*N. Am. Flora, Vol. pts. 1 and 2. 
( 19 ) 
