This species is edible, and because of the large size which it often attains, the few plants which are usually found make up in quantity what they lack in numbers. Since the plant is quite firm it will keep several days after being picked, in a cool place, and will serve for several meals. A specimen which I gathered was divided between two families, and was served at several meals on successive days. When stewed the plant has for me a rather objectionable taste, but the stewing makes the substance more tender, and when this is followed by broiling or frying the objectionable taste is removed and it is quite palatable. The plants represented in Plates 67 and 68 were collected at Ithaca.
Plate 67, Figure 181.—Polyporus frondosus. Caps hair-brown or grayish, tubes white (1/3 natural size, masses often 20–40 cm. in breadth). The caps in this specimen are quite broad, often they are narrower as in Fig. [182]. Copyright.
Plate 68, Figure 182.—Polyporus frondosus. Side and under view of a larger cluster (1/3 natural size). Copyright.
There are several species which are related to the frondose polyporus which occur in this country as well as in Europe. Polyporus intybaceus Fr., is of about the same size, and the branching, and form of the caps is much the same, but it is of a yellowish brown or reddish brown color. It grows on logs, stumps, etc., and is probably edible. It is not so common at Ithaca as the frondose polyporus.