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Figure 341. Sclerotia of North American P
umbellatus.
GROWTH PARAMETERS 381
fuses amateur collectors. (Lincoff (1993)). G.
frondosa has smaller, non-cylindrical spores,
lacks the sclerotial stage in its life cycle, and
arises from a multiple forking base.
Description: The mushrooms arise from underground
sclerotia. The near black sclerotium,
resembling pig's dung in form, but woody in
texture, swells with water and generates a multibranched,
circular shaped mushrooms with
umbellicate caps. These bouquets of mushrooms
arise from a common stem base. The
fruitbodies are whitish at first, becoming
dingy brown with age, with an underside featuring
circular to angular pores.
Distribution: Infrequently occurring throughout
the deciduous woodlands of north-central and
northeastern North America, in the temperate regions
of China, and in Europe where it was first
described. Gilbertson & Ryvarden (1987) reported
this mushroom from the states of
Montana and Washington. If this mushroom in-
deed grows in the Pacific Northwest, it is exceedingly rare, as I have never found it, and know no one
who has.
Natural Habitat: Found on the ground, arising from dead roots or buried wood, on stumps, or in soils
rich in lignicolous matter, preferring birches, maples, willows, and beeches. Predominantly growing
in deciduous woodlands, this mushroom has been reported from coniferous forests, although rare.
Weir (1917) reported this mushroom from Montana growing on spruce (Picea sp.).
Microscopic Features: Spores 7-10 x 3-4 p, white in deposit, smooth, cylindrical. Hyphal system
dimitic, non-septate, clamp connections present on the generative hyphae.
Available Strains: Strains are available from most culture libraries. However, most of the strains that
I have tested are non-fruiting in culture. Hence, strains which can produce under indoor, controlled
conditions are needed.
Mycelial Characteristics: White, longitudinally linear, soon densely cottony, forming a thick, peelable
mycelial mat on agar, grain, and in sawdust media. On sterilized sawdust, the mycelium, as it
ages, forms outer layers of yellowish, gelatinous exudate. This mushroom causes a white rot.
Fragrance Signature: Musty, sour, slightly bitter, not pleasant.
Natural Method of Cultivation: The roots of stumps are inoculated by digging trenches into the root
zones which have been already parasitized by, for instance, the Honey Mushroom, Armillaria mellea.
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