Possible ID: Irpex Lacteus
Classification:
Phylum: Basidiomycetes
Class: Polyporales
Order: Steccherinaceae
Family: Irpex
Isolation and culturing methods:
Isolated from a brush pile at Dales Ridge Trail, Lewisburg, PA. Sample was found lying next to other pieces of broken tree and was taken back to the lab to be assessed and placed in a family. The fungus was attached to a hardwood and was in the lab until further notice.
Culture appearance and growth:
The surface texture is tough and it is an off white color. The underside experience both tooth and pore like structures. The pores tend to occur in the much smaller fruiting bodies along the large stick while the teeth can be clearly seen on the larger parties of the underside of the fruiting body. The fungus developed shelf like edges which hang over the sides of the branch facing downward.
Spore Production:
The spores are from 5-7 x 2-3 um; they are smooth and elliptical. There is a lack of clamp connection and the hyphae branch from 2-4 um wide.
