Frequently in large masses. Commonly broadly attached, but sometimes with a short stem. Very occasionally a single pileus will protrude from a tree like a giant yellow tongue shaded with reddish-orange. Usually the pilei are in clusters united in a solid base, white-fleshed and rich in color. I have seen clusters two feet across. On an old willow at Mt. Gretna, a cluster 18 in. across afforded a dozen meals. Whenever a meal was wanted a pound or two was broken off. It lasted until January. If P. sulphureus is cooked properly it is a delicious fungus. Cut fine, stew slowly and well, season, add butter, milk with a little thickening.
P. macula´tus Pk.—having maculæ-spots. Pileus of a cheesy consistence, broad, flattened, sometimes confluent, sessile or narrowed into a short stem, slightly uneven, white or yellowish-white, marked with darker zones and watery spots. Pores minute, subangular, short, whitish, sometimes tinged with brown. Flesh white.
Pileus 4–6 in. broad, 6–8 lines thick.
Prostrate trunks of trees in woods. Worcester. July.
In texture and shape this species is related to P. sulphureus, but the pores are smaller than in that species. The plants are sometimes cespitose, sometimes single. The spots in the dried specimens have a smooth depressed appearance. Peck, 26th Rep.
Angora, West Philadelphia. September, 1896. Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1897–1898. On white oak trunks. McIlvaine.
Several specimens of different ages proved good eating. Like P. sulphureus it must be well cooked.
P. hetero´clitus Fr. Gr—one of two; Gr, to lean. In many cespitose layers, coriaceous. Pilei 2½ in. broad, orange, sessile, expanded on all sides from a radical tubercle, lobed, villous, zoneless. Pores irregularly shaped and elongated, golden-yellow. Fries.
On the ground under oak. Rare.
The flat pilei extend horizontally from the tubercle. Irregular, eccentric. Stevenson.