Gill fungus on Oak

[daltontrees]

I would appreciate any pointers anyone has on this fungus, found yesterday on a 24m high mature Quercus robur in a wholly broadleaf wood, growing between butresses about 10cm above soil. The section of butresses seemed intact but sounded dull to the mallet. There was only this one mushroom and a much smaller one round the corner. There was a pit of water in the butresses just above and to the side of the specimen.

The cut-through picture was about 12 hours after cutting, no noticeable discolouration. I have been trying to get a spore print, but nothing so far.

First thought was Pleurotus but I am struggling to fit it into ostreatus, cornucopiae or dryinus.

[David Humphries]

Although the ring is absent, had you considered Gymnopilus junonius?

 

 

 

 

.

[daltontrees]

I have a very good reason for not having considereds Gymnopilus junonius, and that is that I have never even heard of it! I shall have a look at some books and websites, it's always nice to have an excuse to research something new.

[sean]

is Paxillus involutus a possibility?

[daltontrees]

I have looked up P. involutus, it doesn't seem to grow directly on wood and is known for darkening conbsiderably when cut.

A couple more tests and examinations are making G. junonius less likely than I thought before. Also I didn't realise this was the posh name for Rustgills which I have seen before. The lack of ring and sporeprint would be very uncharacteristic of the species, from what I have read. I have got to get me some KOH because the reaction for this species is supposedly quite conclusive. I even cooked a bit of it because I read it turns green. This one didn't.

Also looked at A. tabescens, it aint that.

Fungal idents just seem SOOO frustrating and inconclusive.

The Oak had inexplicably lost a lot of branches recently in storms, so it is down for some close monitoring anyway. I have made a mental note to have a look at the base next early November to see if there is any further fungal fruiting action.