Daedalea quercina
| Daedalea quercina | |
|---|---|
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| The maze-like pores of Daedalea quercina | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Polyporales |
| Family: | Fomitopsidaceae |
| Genus: | Daedalea |
| Species: | D. quercina |
| Binomial name | |
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Daedalea quercina (L.) Pers. (1801) |
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| Synonyms | |
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| Daedalea quercina | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
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pores on hymenium |
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no distinct cap |
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hymenium is decurrent |
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lacks a stipe |
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spore print is white |
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ecology is saprotrophic |
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edibility: inedible |
Daedalea quercina is a species of mushroom in the order Polyporales, and the type species of the genus Daedalea. Commonly known as the oak mazegill or maze-gill fungus, the specific epithet refers to the oak genus Quercus, upon which it frequently grows, causing a brown rot. It is found in Europe, Asia, Northern Africa and Australasia. Though inedible, it can be used as a natural comb and has been the subject of chemical research.
The sessile, fan-shaped fruiting bodies are typically 3–20 centimetres (1.2–7.9 in) in diameter and up to 8 centimetres (3.1 in) thick. They are found singly or in tiered groups, usually on rotting oak. The upper surface of the cap may be various shades of brown, and is sometimes . The pore surface, white to tan in color, is initially porous, but as the fruit body matures, some of the pore walls break down, forming slits with blunt partitions. This results in the characteristic maze-like (daedaloid or labyrinthinine/labyrinthiform) appearance. The tube walls are 10–30 mm long, with thick walls. The basidiospores are 5–7 × 2–4 µm, smooth, and elliptical in shape. In deposit the spores are white.
This mushroom is inedible due to its cork-like texture.
A variant has been described that has large, angular pores similar to those in the genus Trametes, named D. quercina forma trametea.
Although D. quercina prefers to grow on Quercus species, it has also been found on the tree species Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, Juglans nigra, and Ulmus americana.
It has been reported from nearly all European countries, following the pattern of oak distribution. It has also been reported in Northern Africa (Tunisia), Asia from Caucasus to India, and also Australia.
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