A large polypore mushroom growing on dead or dying hardwoods.

Also called: Dryad's Saddle, Pheasant's Back

Native status: Native; widespread in temperate forests

§ Quick facts

SizeFruiting body 20–60 cm wide; occasionally larger
Weight200 g – 2 kg
LifespanFruiting body 1–2 weeks; mycelium persists in host wood for years
OrderPolyporales
FamilyPolyporaceae

§ Encyclopedia

Cerioporus squamosus, synonym Polyporus squamosus, is a basidiomycete bracket fungus, with common names including dryad's saddle and pheasant's back mushroom. It has a widespread distribution, being found in Eurasia and North America. It causes a white rot in the heartwood of living and dead hardwood trees.

Source: Wikipedia — Cerioporus squamosus Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Large rounded fan-shaped fungus with brown scales on the cream/tan upper surface; whitish pore surface beneath; stem short and lateral; smells of cucumber.

Similar species. Other large polypores (different scaling patterns). Hen of the Woods (clustered with many caps, not one large fan).

Voice. N/A

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Saprotrophic and weakly parasitic — decomposes dead and dying hardwoods.

Behavior. Large fan-shaped fungus with characteristic scaly upper surface. Edible when very young (before the cap becomes tough), with a distinctive cucumber-watermelon-rind aroma. Among the earliest spring polypores in eastern North America — fruits as the maples are flowering. Causes white rot of hardwoods, contributing to forest decomposition.

§ Range

Across North America

§ Habitat

Dead hardwood trees

§ Threats

Forest loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the dryad's saddle is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Maintain dead and dying trees.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • North American Mycological Association
  • Mycological Society of America
  • Forager Chef