Dryad's Saddle - Polyporus squamosus

    Click here to support NatureSpot by making a donation - small or large - your gift is very much appreciated. Thank you.
    Description

    A large annual bracket fungus that can reach 60 cm across and be up to 3 or 4 cm thick, initially circular or fan-shaped, ochraceous-cream covered in concentric dark brown fibrillose scales. The stem is off-set from the centre.

    Identification difficulty
    Habitat

    On deciduous trees, especially Elm, Beech and Sycamore, causing intensive white rot.

    When to see it

    Can be seen from late spring to early autumn.

    Life History

    Parasitic annual bracket.

    UK Status

    Very Common throughout Britain.

    VC55 Status

    Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

    • Graham Calow
      Sapcote
      21 August 2006
    • Graham Calow
      Burbage Common and Woods
      13 April 2011
    • David Gould
      Aylestone Holt, Leicester.
      04 May 2015
    • David Nicholls
      Evington Park
      25 May 2012
    • Barbara Cooper
      Long Clawson
      30 September 2012
      on Horse chestnut
    • Barbara Cooper
      Long Clawson
      30 September 2012
      pores on underside

    Leicestershire & Rutland Map

    Map key:

    Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)

    Coloured circles = NatureSpot records

    • RED = 2020+
    • DARK BLUE = 2015-2019
    • LIGHT BLUE = pre 2015

     

    UK Map

    • David Nicholls
      Evington Park
      25 May 2012
    • Barbara Cooper
      Long Clawson
      30 September 2012
      on Horse chestnut
    • Annie Smith
      Welford Road Cemetery
      26 August 2017
    • wendy nethercot
      Sapcote Churchyard
      28 May 2011
      Fungus on a tree stump