This is an odd but handsome species and easily determined because of its double cap. It is said to prefer fir woods, but I have frequently found it in oak woods. It grows on the ground, and when young and fresh the pilei are said to be good. I have never found more than one specimen at a time and never in a condition to eat, though good authorities say it is edible when young and tender. Found in September and October.
Polyporus adustus. Fr.
Adustus means scorched, so called from the blackish color of margin.
The pileus is often imbricated; fleshy, tough, firm, thin, villous, ash-color; margin straight, blackish.
The pores are minute, round, obtuse, whitish, soon ashy-brown.
It is abundant everywhere on fallen beech or on beech stumps. It is very close to P. fumosus if it is not identical with it. It is found from August to late fall.
Polyporus resinosus.
Figure 331.—Polyporus resinosus. One-fourth natural size.