Ischnoderma resinosum

Ischnoderma resinosum is a species of fungus in the family Fomitopsidaceae. It is commonly known as the late fall polypore, resinous polypore, or benzoin bracket.

Ischnoderma resinosum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Polyporales
Family:	Fomitopsidaceae
Genus:	Ischnoderma
Species:	I. resinosum
Binomial name
Ischnoderma resinosum (Schrad.) P.Karst. (1879)

Ischnoderma resinosum Mycological characteristics
	Pores on hymenium
	No distinct cap
	Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable
	Lacks a stipe
	Spore print is white
	Ecology is saprotrophic
	Edibility is edible or too hard to eat

Taxonomy

The species was originally described as Boletus resinosus in 1794 by German botanist Heinrich Schrader. It has acquired an extensive synonymy in its taxonomic history, having been juggled between several genera. Petter Karsten transferred it to Ischnoderma in 1879 to give it the name by which it is currently known.^[1]

Description

This shelf mushroom is 7–25 cm (3–10 in) across, velvety, dark red/brown, darkening and forming zones in age.^[2] Its spongy but tough, sweet-smelling flesh exudes a red liquid when young.

Ischnoderma benzoinum is similar and has darker flesh.^[2]

Habitat and distribution

This fungus fruits on hardwood logs and stumps in autumn.^[3] A widely distributed species, it has been recorded from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.^[4]

Uses

Young, soft specimens may be cooked and eaten, but the species becomes hard and unpalatable later in life.^[5]