February 2016 Sheep Polypore, Albatrellus ovinus

 location: North America, Europeedibility: Ediblefungus
colour: White to cream, Grey to beige normal size: 5-15cm
cap type: Convex to shield shaped
stem type: Simple stem
flesh: Pore material cannot be seperated from flesh of the cap
spore colour: White, cream or yellowish
habitat: Grows in woods, Grows on the ground

Sheep Polypore Albatrellus ovinus (Fr.) Murr. syn. Polyporus ovinus Fr. Schafporling Fakó zsemlegomba.
Fruit body annual. Cap 5-15cm across, usually single but sometimes several fused together, circular to irregular when fused, convex then depressed, dish-shaped; white to pale buff, tan; dry, smooth, or a little scaly with age.

Tubes 1-2mm deep, decurrent; white. Pores 2-4 per mm, angular; white to yellowish. Stem 20-75 x 10-30mm, slightly swollen, pointed at base, usually central; white bruising pinkish; smooth.

Flesh 5-20mm thick, firm; white, dries yellowish.
Odor pleasant, fungusy, aromatic.
Taste mild, sometimes slightly bitter.
Spores subglobose-ellipsoid, 3-4.5 x 3-3.5µ.
Deposit white. Hyphal structure monomitic.
Habitat on the ground by conifers, especially at high elevations.
Found in Europe especially Finland (where it is considered a fine edible,)and throughout North America.
Season August to winter.
Edible.
Comment Similar are Albatrellus confluens (Fr.) Kotlaba & Pouz., which is darker, orange-hued, with a bitter flavor, and Albatrellus subrubescens (Murr.) Pouz., which bruises orange.

http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~5514.asp