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Tiromyces snow-white is an annual saprophyte mushroom that belongs to the Polyporaceae family. It grows singly or in several copies, which eventually grow together. In official sources, it can be found as Tyromyces chioneus. Other names:
- White mushroom;
- Polyporus albellus;
- Ungularia chionea.
What does white tiromyces look like?
Tiromyces snow-white is distinguished by the unusual structure of the fruiting body, since it consists only of a convex sessile cap of a triangular section. Its size in width reaches 12 cm, and the thickness does not exceed 8 cm. At the same time, the edge is sharp, slightly wavy.
In young specimens, the surface is velvety, but as the fungus matures, it becomes completely naked, and in overripe thyromyces, a wrinkled skin can be seen. The fruit body at the initial stage of growth has a whitish tint, later it turns yellow and acquires a brown tint. In addition, clearly defined black dots appear on the surface over time.
On the cut, the flesh is white, fleshy, watery. When dried, it becomes dense fibrous, with a slight physical impact, it begins to crumble. In addition, dry white thyromyces has an unpleasant sweet and sour smell, which is absent in fresh form.
The hymenophore of white thyromyces is tubular. The pores are thin-walled and may be rounded or angularly elongated. Initially, their color is snow-white, but when ripe, they become a yellowish-beige hue. Spores are smooth, cylindrical. Their size is 4-5 x 1.5-2 µm.
Thyromyces snow white promotes the development of white rot
Where and how to grow
The period of fruiting in snow-white tiromyces begins at the end of summer and continues until late autumn. This fungus can be found on dead wood of deciduous trees, mainly on dead wood. Most often it is found on birch trunks, less often – pine and fir.
Tiromyces snow-white is widely distributed in the boreal zone of Europe, Asia, and also North America. In Our Country, it is found from the west of the European part to the Far East.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Tiromyces snow-white is considered inedible. It is strictly forbidden to eat it in both fresh and processed form.
Twins and their differences
According to its external signs, snow-white thyromyces can be confused with other mushrooms. Therefore, in order to be able to distinguish twins, you need to know their characteristic features.
Postia knitting. This double is a representative of the Fomitopsis family, it is found everywhere. Its peculiarity is that young specimens are able to secrete drops of liquid, giving the impression that the fungus is “crying”. The twin is also annual, but its fruiting body is much larger and can reach 20 cm in diameter. The color of postia astringent is milky white. The pulp is juicy, fleshy, bitter in taste. The mushroom is considered inedible. The fruiting period begins in July and continues until the end of October. The official name is Postia stiptica.
Postia astringent grows mainly on the trunks of coniferous trees.
Aurantiporus fissile. This double is a close relative of the snow-white thyromyces and also belongs to the Polyporaceae family. The fruit body is large, its width can be 20 cm. The mushroom has a prostrate shape in the form of a hoof. Its color is white with a pink tint. This species is considered inedible. Aurantiporus fissile grows on deciduous trees, mainly birch and aspen, and sometimes on apple trees. The official name is Aurantiporus fissilis.
Aurantiporus fissile has a very juicy fleshy white flesh
Conclusion
Tiromyces snow-white belongs to the category of woody inedible mushrooms, so it is not popular with lovers of silent hunting. But for mycologists it is of interest, since its properties have not been fully studied. Therefore, research continues on the subject of the medicinal properties of the fungus.