Irpex lacteus (Fr.) Fr

Syn:Polyporus tulipifera (Schwein.)MurrillProfile Group: Basidiomycota, Polyporales, Meruliaceae
Macroscopic charactersshapeEffused-reflexed or resupinate at first; pilei usually imbricate; dimidiate or laterally fused
sizeUp to 1 x 7 x 0.5 cm
textureDensely tomentose to hirsute; smooth or shallowly sulcate in age
pileusWhite to cream colored or pale buff
stipeN/A
contextWhite to pale tan; soft-fibrous; up to 2 mm thick
pore surfaceWhite to cream
poresAngular; 2-3 per mm near margin; dissepiments split to form an irpiciform hymenophore
tube layer(s)Concolorous and continuous with context; up to 3 mm thick
Microscopic charactershyphal systemDimitic; generative and skeletal hyphae
clamp connectionsNone
sterile elementsCystidia abundant; thick-walled; heavily incrusted apically 50-110 x 5-10 um; projecting up to 40 um
basidiosporesOblong to cylindric; straight to slightly curved; hyaline; smooth; 5-7 x 2-3 um
Habitat characterssubstrate/hostDead wood of numerous hardwood genera; common on tulip poplar in the southeast U.S.
seasonalityAnnual
type of decayWhite rot of dead hardwoods, rarely of conifers
rangeCommon throughout the forest regions of Canada and the U.S. except for the Southwest. Cosmopolitan species.
NotesStrongly hydnaceous hymenophore, conspicuously incrusted cystidia, and simple-septate hyphae are diagnostic .
ReferencesOverholts, 1953; Gilbertson & Ryvarden, 1986.
Habit of Basidiocarps
Habit of Basidiocarps
Basidiospores – 1000 X
Basidiospores – 1000 X
Encrusted Cystidia – 400 X
Encrusted Cystidia – 400 X
Skeletal Hyphae  – 400 X
Skeletal Hyphae  – 400 X