Daedalea quercina Oak Mazegill
A very variable species in both colour and form. New specimens emerge from the spring onwards. Found on dead Oak & occasionally on other broad-leaved trees, solitary or in small overlapping groups. This perennial polypore appears with variable degrees of zoning, can be up to 200mm across, the upper surface can be smooth to uneven & furrowed. It is broadly attached to the substrate. The pore structure is usually a good species indicator.
The pores are thick-walled, radially slotted to maze like & of a similar colour to the upper surface. The flesh is very tough, resembling cork or wood and buff brown. The pore tubes can be 40mm deep.
The spore print is often faint due to comparatively
low spore counts.
The translucent, smooth spores are ellipsoid and
do not react with iodine indicating that they are
free of starch-like components . The failure to react chemically is indicated by the term inamyloid or non-amyloid depending on which fungal guide you have in front of you.
This species has been found at Heath Warren, Bramshill Plantation & Yateley Vicarage Road Wood.