# Black-Staining Polypore (*meripilus sumstinei*) The Black-Staining Polypore is a fascinating mushroom that grows in large clusters on the ground or on wood. Its unique, dark appearance can change color when touched, making it an exciting find for young explorers! - **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 13 - **Habitat:** It lives in forests, often found near decaying wood or on the ground. - **Also known as:** Black Staining Fungus, Meripilus, Sumstinei Mushroom ![Black-Staining Polypore](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Meripilus_sumstinei_354570.jpg&width=800) Photo: clyde Elledge (Clyde), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meripilus_sumstinei_354570.jpg) ## Appearance The Black-Staining Polypore has large, fan-shaped caps, often tan to reddish-brown, that merge into a massive, multi-lobed cluster at the base of trees. Its creamy white underside, made of tiny pores, quickly turns dark gray to black when bruised or cut. This distinct staining makes it easy to identify. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Fungi - **Phylum:** Basidiomycota - **Class:** Agaricomycetes - **Order:** Polyporales - **Family:** Meripilaceae - **Genus:** Meripilus ## Interesting facts - Instead of gills, it has millions of tiny pore tubes! - It often grows in a beautiful rosette shape at tree bases! - Older mushrooms become very tough and woody, not soft! - This mushroom can weigh as much as a bowling ball! ## Special abilities - **Stain Master:** Black-Staining Polypore can turn dark black when touched because of unique enzymes that react quickly with air. - **Tree Doctor:** Black-Staining Polypore helps decompose dead hardwood trees because it releases enzymes to break down tough wood. - **Giant Builder:** Black-Staining Polypore can grow to enormous sizes, sometimes over 20 kg, that helps it release millions of spores. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-50 cm - **Edible:** edible - **Size:** 10-90 cm - **Growth Substrate:** wood - **Season:** Summer to fall - **Spore Color:** White ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Causes white heart rot in living trees. - **Parasitizes:** [American Beech](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-beech) (*Fagus grandifolia*) — Feeds on both living and dead wood. - **Parasitizes:** [Sugar Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sugar-maple) (*Acer saccharum*) — Decomposes root flares and buttresses. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always ask an adult before touching or picking mushrooms. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-Staining Polypore? Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Black-Staining Polypore? 10-50 cm ### Is Black-Staining Polypore edible? edible ### How big is Black-Staining Polypore? 10-90 cm ### Where is Black-Staining Polypore usually found? It lives in forests, often found near decaying wood or on the ground. ### What does Black-Staining Polypore grow on? wood ### When is Black-Staining Polypore in season? Summer to fall ### What color are Black-Staining Polypore spores? White ## Where to spot - [Concord](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/concord) — Tennessee, US · Neighborhood - [Inman Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/inman-park) — Georgia, US · Neighborhood - [Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/laughing-brook-wildlife-sanctuary) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Oak Ridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oak-ridge-historic-district) — Tennessee, US · Historic District - [Ave Maria Grotto](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ave-maria-grotto) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Palmer Playground](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palmer-playground) — Massachusetts, US · Park [View all places to see Black-Staining Polypore](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-staining-polypore) ## More Fungi - [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*) --- Source: [Black-Staining Polypore: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-staining-polypore)