Page author: Wynn Tranfield
Oligoporus leucospongia
marshmallow polypore, white spongy polypore
Specimens
Photos

Habitat: Oligoporus leucospongia is a spring fungus of the western mountains that grows on conifer and sometimes aspen wood that has been buried in snow.

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Description:
Identification Notes:

It can be found fruiting in association with snowbanks but soon after snow-melt the fruitbodies rapidly deteriorate. They appear as single shelves, become elongated, or sometimes form simple pore-layers on the underside of logs. The cap is tomentose and white to buff, and the rounded margin often grows downward partially enclosing the pore surface. The pores are white when fresh, circular to angular, and become lacerated in age. The most amazing feature is the soft, cottony flesh and the corresponding light weight of the fruitbodies. They seem as though they could float right out of your hand. Oligoporus fragilis (Fries) Gilbertson & Ryvarden is somewhat similar but is denser and turns reddish brown when bruised or dried.

Accepted Name:
Oligoporus leucospongia (Cooke & Harkn.) Gilb. & Ryvarden

Synonyms & Misapplications:
(none provided)
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Oligoporus leucospongia in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.

CalPhotos: Oligoporus leucospongia photos.

3 photographs:
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