Lloyd Mycological Writings V4.pdf - MykoWeb

CONTEXT AND PORES WHITE OR PALE.
POLYPORUS UNDOSUS (Fig. 657). Pileus effuso-reflexed,
white, narrow, sulcate. Pores smooth, elongated on the resupinate
portion. Spores flattened, elliptical, 3x4 mic. on broad view, 2x4
mic. on narrow view.
This rarely occurs, on the hemlock, in the United States. We
have but one collection from Mr. Weir, Idaho, and there are but two
at New York. Excepting as to its host and its broader spores, it is
very similar to the preceding species.
Thin, white plants with a reddish tendency are found in the next section.
SECTION 84. WHITE WHEN FRESH, BUT TURNING REDDISH IN-
DRYING OR WITH REDDISH SPOTS ON THE SURFACE.
Two of these species, viz., mollis and fragilis, are very sensitive when fresh,
being pure white, but quickly spotting red when handled.
POLYPORUS MOLLIS. Pileus dimidiate, usually large, 2-3
inches in diameter, 1-2 inches thick, often imbricate. Surface with
fine, appressed fibrils. Flesh white, turning red when cut; very soft
wrhen fresh, firm but crumbly when dry. Pores large,
sinuate, with thin, uneven edges. Spores (Fig. 658) 1x5,
allantoid, cylindrical, curved.
This is a white species found on pine trunks. When
perfect it is pure white, no doubt, but it turns red when
bruised or old; and specimens are usually discolored, always
when dry. We have the plant from several correspondents,
both Europe and America, but have only collected it once,
in Florida. Persoon named the plant at an early date, and when we
found it fresh we were impressed that he gave it a quite appropriate
name, for it is unusually "soft." It has same general characters, white
flesh turning red, large pores, allantoid spores, and has been confused,
we are confident, with fragilis by Fries, Quelet, and others (cfr. Letter
43, under Weir). The main difference is general size. Mollis is a
large species, with flesh 2-5 cm. thick, growing dimidiate, imbricate.
Polyporus fragilis is small, generally subresupinate, flexed pileus, less than a cm. thick.
with often re-
ILLUSTRATIONS. We believe there are none. Fries' Icon. t. 182 is Polyporus fragilis.
Britzelmayr's cartoon is probably Polyporus fragilis. Hartig t. 9 is Polyporus Schweinitzii, and the
pathological men Comes and Voglino we have not looked up, but they no doubt got their idea from
Hartig.
Compare erubescens, Smallii, Weinmanni.
POLYPORUS FRAGILIS. Pileus small, thin, conchoid, usually
resupinate behind, pure white, but quickly spotting red when touched.
Surface finely pubescent with no crust. Flesh white, soft, quickly
turning color when broken, drying discolored, fragile. Pores (Fig. 661)
long, sinuate, angular, with uneven edges. Spores allantoid, 1^x5,
cylindrical, curved, hyaline, smooth.
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