- Meripilus giganteus
-
Meripilus giganteus 
M. giganteus Scientific classification Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Basidiomycota Class: Basidiomycetes Order: Polyporales Family: Meripilaceae Genus: Meripilus Species: M. giganteus Binomial name Meripilus giganteus
Karst. (1882)Meripilus giganteus Mycological characteristics
pores on hymenium 
cap is offset
or indistinct
hymenium is decurrent 
lacks a stipe 
spore print is white 
ecology is saprotrophic 
edibility: edible Meripilus giganteus is a polypore fungus in the Meripilaceae family. It causes a white rot in various types of broadleaved trees, particularly beech (Fagus), but also Abies, Picea, Pinus, Quercus and Ulmus species. This bracket fungus, commonly known as the giant polypore or black-staining polypore, is often found in large clumps at the base of trees, although fruiting bodies are sometimes found some distance away from the trunk, parasitizing the roots. M. giganteus has a circumboreal distribution in the northern Hemisphere, and is widely distributed in Europe. In the field, it is recognizable by the large, multi-capped fruiting body, as well as its pore surface that quickly darkens black when bruised or injured.
Contents
Description
The basidiocarps consist of numerous rosette-like flattened fan-shaped pilei; they are typically 50–200 centimetres (20–79 in) in diameter and 20–80 centimetres (7.9–31 in) high. The individual caps, up to 20–80 centimetres (7.9–31 in) diameter and 1–4 centimetres (0.39–1.6 in) thick, arise from a common basal stem.
An older specimen of M. giganteus with brown, zonate pilei.
The color of the cap surface is pale tan to dull chestnut brown in young specimens but darkens in age to become concentric zones (zonate) of various shades of brown.
The surface is also finely fibrillose with tiny scales (squamules). There are 3 to 6 pores per millimeter on the underside; the pore surface bruises brown and black, helping to distinguish it from the similar species Grifola frondosa.
- Microscopic features
Spores are roughly spherical to ovoid or ellipsoid in shape, with typical dimensions of 6–6.5 × 5.5–6 µm. Under a microscope, they appear translucent (hyaline), smooth, and nonamyloid, meaning that they do not absorb stain from Melzer's Reagant.[1] The basidia—the spore-bearing cells—are club-shaped, 4-spored, and are 22–40 by 7–8 µm.[2]
Polypore fungi may be further distinguished by the type of hyphae that makes up their fruiting body. M. giganteus has a so-called monomitic hyphal system, as its fruiting body is composed of only vegetative hyphae.[3]
Edibility
The giant polypore is generally considered inedible, due to its very coarse flesh and mildly acidic taste,[4] although younger specimens may be more palatable; one author notes that it is "eaten in Japan."[5] Also, it may be mistakenly consumed because of its resemblance with the edible species commonly known as Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa).
Habitat and distribution
This mushroom can be found growing of hardwoods, more rarely on conifers. According to Ryvarden and Gilbertson in their monograph on the polypores of Europe, M. giganteus grows especially on Quercus and Fagus tree species, but it has also been collected on the hardwoods Acer, Aesculus, Alnus, Betula, Castanea, Celtis, Corylus, Eucalyptus, Laurus, Myrica, Persea, Pittosporum, Platanus, Populus, Prunus, Pyrus, Tilia, Ulmus; it has also been found growing on the coniferous species Abies, Larix, and Pinus.[2]
M. giganteus is has a circumboreal distribution in the northern hemisphere.[6] It has been collected from Europe, Scandinavia, the area formerly known as the USSR, Iran and Turkey.[7] Although many field guides list it as occurring in North America, this is due to confusion with the related M. sumstinei; M. giganteus is not found in North America.[8][9] A study of the frequency of occurrence of wood-decay fungi on street trees and park trees in Hamburg, Germany found that M. giganteus was the most common species.[10]
Medicinal properties
The methanol extract from this mushroom has been shown contains compounds that are significantly cytotoxic to the mouse cancer cell line 3LL.[11]
Similar species
The polypore fungus Grifola frondosa is similar in overall appearance, but may be distinguished by its more greyish cap, and larger pores.[2]
Notes
- ^ Larsen, M, Lombard, FF. (1988). "The status of Meripilus giganteus (Aphyllophorales, Polyporaceae) in North America." Mycologia 80(5):612–21.
- ^ a b c Ryvarden L. (1993). European Polypores (Part 2). Oslo, Norway: Lubrecht & Cramer Ltd. pp. 395–97. ISBN 82-90724-12-8.
- ^ Schmidt O. (2006). Wood and Tree Fungi: Biology, Damage, Protection, and Use. Berlin: Springer. p. 23. ISBN 3-540-32138-1.
- ^ Bondartsev AS. (1953). The Polyporaceae of the European USSR and Caucasia. Akad. Nauk SSSR Bot. Inst. Komarova. [In Russian, translated by Israel Prog. Sci. Transl.] Jerusalem, 1971. 725 pp.
- ^ Schmidt, 2006, p. 23.
- ^ Schmidt, 2006, p. 197.
- ^ Niemela T, Uotila P. "Lignicolous macrofungi from Turkey and Iran." (1977). Karstenia 17(1): 33–9.
- ^ "Missouri Mycological Society Voucher Specimens: Meripilus giganteus". http://www.missourimycologicalsociety.org/vouchers-v1.asp?funginum=218. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
- ^ Larsen, 1988.
- ^ Seehan G. (1979). "Holzerstörende Pilze an Straßen- und Parkbäumen in Hamburg." Mitt. Dtsch. Dendrolog. Ges. 71: 193–221.
- ^ Tomasi S, Lohézic-Le Dévéhat F, Sauleau P, Bézivin C, Boustie J (April 2004). "Cytotoxic activity of methanol extracts from Basidiomycete mushrooms on murine cancer cell lines". Pharmazie 59 (4): 290–3. PMID 15125575.
Referenced text
- Schmidt O. (2006). Wood and Tree Fungi: Biology, Damage, Protection, and Use. Berlin: Springer. ISBN 3-540-32138-1.
External links
Categories:- Plant pathogens and diseases
- Polyporales
- Fungi of Europe
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