Country intro
Porodaedalea pini, the Cause of Red Ring Rot
It seems that once again there is a confusion as to what name to call this fungus. The synonym is Phellinus pini. I am even unclear as to which is the most recent nomenclature. The pores are maze-like (daedaloid) hence the genus name. This conk was attached to a Douglas Fir about a half a meter off the forest floor and measures about 10cm across.
Porodaedalea pini is a fungal plant pathogen that causes tree disease commonly known as "red ring rot" or "white speck". This disease, extremely common in the conifers of North America, decays tree trunks, rendering them useless for lumber. It is a rot of the heartwood. Signs of the fungus include shelf-shaped conks protruding from the trunks of trees. Spores produced on these conks are blown by the wind and go on to infect other trees.
Cap: Occasionally absent but usually present as.. more
