The stem is irregular, knotted and swollen with protuberances somewhat resembling buds, from which develop the caps which in some cases appear as if stuck on the stem like barnacles on a stick. Contrary to most mushrooms the upper surface of the cap and the stem are of nearly the same color, the stem being usually of a more brilliant red. The stem has a distinct root extending into the ground several inches. The whole plant is almost indescribably irregular. It is quite an attractive plant when seen growing among the weeds and beside stumps. The plants in Figure 332 I found growing among Datura stramonium beside old stumps in a pasture. I have found the same species growing on oak stumps. It is known as Ganoderma Curtisii, Berk., G. pseudo-boletus, Merrill. It is found from August till late fall.
Polyporus obliquus. Pers.
Figure 333.—Polyporus obliquus. Two-thirds natural size.
Obliquus means slanting, oblique. This species is widely circumfused, usually hard, quite thick, uneven, pallid, elegant chocolate-brown, then blackish; conversely encircled crested border.
The pores are long, very minute, obtuse, slightly angular. It grows on dead branches of iron-wood and wild cherry. The deep chocolate-brown and the oblique form of its pores will serve to identify the species.
It grows, with us, in the spring. I gathered this specimen in June. In the fall I visited the same trunk, but found they had begun to decay. It is sometimes called Poria obliqua.