Mustard Yellow Polypore

Mustard Yellow Polypore © GBarton

Oak Conk
Fuscoporia gilva

This velvety mushroom with distinctive yellowish margins grows on dead or living hardwoods year-round, and has been used in Chinese traditional medicine for its cancer-fighting properties.

Appearance

  • Cap velvety, shelf-like, rusty-brown to dark-brown with distinctive yellowish margins, and 5-15 cm. wide
  • Lower surface has rusty-brown pores
  • Spore print white
  • Without a stipe (stem)
  • Grows in small groups or overlapping tiers

At Edgewood

Yellow Margin © GBarton

About

  • Basidiomycetes – a major lineage of fungi that usually produce spores within basidia (club-like structures)
  • Found throughout the year; new growth found after fall rains
  • Saprotrophic – grows on dead hardwoods (e.g. oaks)
  • Can be parasitic on living hardwoods
  • Edibility (San Mateo County Parks prohibits removal of any natural material)
    • Inedible; too tough
    • Unless you are an expert, do not pick and consume wild mushrooms

Fun Facts

  • Chinese traditional medicine has used this fungus for more than 2,000 years to treat various diseases, such as stomach ache, inflammation and tumors
    • Scientists recently discovered that this fungus contains compounds called phenylpropanoids which prevent or delay the development of cancer

Learn More

Roehl, T. 2017, Jul. 14. #013: Characteristics of division Basidiomycota. Fungus Fact List. Fungus Fact Friday.

References

Desjardin, D.E., M.G. Wood, and F.A. Stevens. 2016. California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.

Huo, J., et al. 2020, Jul. 24. Whole-genome sequence of Phellinus gilvus (mulberry Sanghuang) reveals its unique medicinal values. Journal of Advanced Research 24: 325–335. PubMed Central. United States National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine. 

Kuo, M. 2007, Mar. Phellinus gilvus. MushroomExpert.Com.

Wood, M., and F. Stevens. 2021. Fuscoporia gilva. The Fungi of California. MykoWeb.