Dryad’s Saddle

Dryad’s Saddle Polyporus squamosus (Huds.) Fr. (illustrated (b) 30% life size) Bracket 5–60cm across, 0.5–5cm thick, initially circular or fan-shaped; upper surface ochraceous-cream, covered in dark brown, concentric, fibrillose scales. Stem 30–100×20–60mm, lateral or occasionally off-centre; blackish towards the base. Flesh 1–3cm thick; white; succulent when fresh, drying corky; smell strongly of meal. Tubes 5–10mm long, decurrent; white to creamy. Pores 1–3×0.5–1.5mm, irregular and angular; whitish to ochraceous-cream. Spores 10–15×4–5¼, oblong-elliptical; white. Hyphal structure dimitic, with generative and binding hyphae; generative hyphae with clamp connections. Habitat parasitic on deciduous trees, especially elm, beech, and sycamore, and causing an intensive white rot; spring to summer. Very common. Edible