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Trametes gibbosa
Trametes gibbosa, commonly known as the lumpy bracket, is a polypore mushroom that causes white rot. It is found on beech stumps and the dead wood of other hardwood species. Fruit bodies are 8–15 cm in diameter and semicircular in shape. The upper surface is usually gray or white, but may be greenish in older specimens due to algal growth. Elongated pores are located on the under-surface. The fruiting bodies are frequently attacked by boring beetle larvae. DescriptionTrametes gibbosa grows as a shelf mushroom and can can reach sizes of up to 20 cm wide. As the common name suggests, the upper surface is lumpy/uneven and velvety. Sometimes magnification may be needed to see the hairs. This upper surface is white/creamy when young, but often develops greyer tints as well as green from algae settling into the hairs. The pore surface is of similar white and cream colors, also developing grayer tints in age. There are about 1–3 pores per mm that are elongated and can sometimes look maze-like or even gill-like in atypical specimens.[1] The flesh is woody and has no distinct taste. The spore print, which may be hard to obtain, is white. "Spores 4-5.5 x 2-2.5 μm, elliptic-cylindrical, smooth, hyaline, inamyloid, hyphal system trimitic, clamp connections present"[1] T. gibbosa is saprobic on dead hardwoods and is known from Eurasia and North American pacific north-west and east of the great plains. This fungus grows year round.[1] Distinguishing featuresThe hairy and lumpy cap, the elongated pores, and the shelf-like growth are all important features that help narrow down the identification to T. gibbosa. Similar speciesThe genus Trametes can be separated from other polypores by the hairy caps, the fan to kidney shape, and their relative thinness. Some Trametes (espeicially the Turkey Tail, Trametes versicolor) can look similar to certain Stereums, but a specimen of Stereum will never have pores on the undersurface, instead they are smooth underneath. Trametes aesculi is quite similar, but the pores are more variably circular or maze-like rather than mostly elongated. Additionally T. aesculi loses its tomentose upper surface on maturity and becomes smooth. Confusion between the two species can be settled under a microscope: the spores of T. aesculi has bigger spores, 5–7 μm in length.[1] Trametes elegans is similar but is not found in North America or Europe. Whitish or grey specimens of Trametes lactinea can seem similar, but will have round or angular pores, rather than elongated. See alsoReferences Wikimedia Commons has media related to Trametes gibbosa.
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