Trichaptum biforme (Fr.) Ryvarden

Syn:Microporus bifromis (Fr.) Kuntze Polyporus biformis Fr. Trametes biformis (Fr.) PilatProfile Group: Basidiomycota, Polyporales
Macroscopic charactersshapeDimidiate to flabelliform or petaloid
sizeUp to 6 cm wide and 3 mm thick
textureTough; fibrous
pileusSolitary or imbricate; gray to buff; hirsute to glabrous with age
stipeN/A
contextPale buff; azonate; tough-fibrous; up to 1.5 mm thick
pore surfacePurple to violaceous or fading to pale buff; often becoming irpicoid
poresAngular; 3-5 per mm
tube layer(s)Up to 2 mm thick
Microscopic charactershyphal systemDimitic
clamp connectionsPresent on contextual generative hyphae
sterile elementsCystidia abundant; apically encrusted; with a basal clamp; sterile elements infrequent in hymenial layer
basidiosporesCylindric; slightly curved; hyaline; smooth; 6-8 x 2-2.5 um
Habitat characterssubstrate/hostDead hardwoods in many genera; rarely on conifers
seasonalityAnnual
type of decayWhite pocket rot of sapwood of dead hardwoods; wood becomes lacy with small empty pockets
rangeIn all states of the U.S. and all provinces of Canada
NotesTypically develop on dead branches and logs on the ground
ReferencesOverholts, 1953; Gilbertson & Ryvarden, 1986. Grand & Vernia, 2009
Species distribution in North Carolina
Pore surface of baisidiocarps
Top and pore surface of basidiocarps
Spores at 1000x
Binding hyphae at 200x
Skeletal hyphae at 200x