# Hexagonal-Pored Polypore (*neofavolus alveolaris*)

The Hexagonal-Pored Polypore is a unique fungus that looks like a honeycomb! It's often found growing on decaying wood, helping nature break down old trees.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Forests, usually on decaying wood.
- **Also known as:** Alveolar Polypore, Hexagonal Polypore, Honeycomb Fungus

![Hexagonal-Pored Polypore](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Polyporus_alveolaris.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Jason Hollinger, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polyporus_alveolaris.jpg)

## Appearance

The Hexagonal-Pored Polypore has a fan-shaped or kidney-shaped cap, often pale yellow, orange, or brownish when young. Its most distinctive feature is the underside, covered with prominent, angular, hexagonal pores that give it a honeycomb-like appearance, making it visually unique among shelf fungi.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes
- **Order:** Polyporales
- **Family:** Polyporaceae
- **Genus:** Neofavolus

## Interesting facts

- It changes color from bright orange when young to pale cream or brown as it ages!
- Its scientific name, 'alveolaris,' means 'like a honeycomb' from its unique pore pattern!
- This fungus can grow incredibly quickly, sometimes appearing almost overnight on dead logs after rain!
- You might find tiny beetles or other insects nibbling on its cap or hiding in its honeycomb pores!

## Special abilities

- **Wood Recycler:** Hexagonal-Pored Polypore can break down dead wood because it releases special enzymes that help recycle nutrients into the soil.
- **Honeycomb Spreader:** Hexagonal-Pored Polypore has perfectly hexagonal pores that help it efficiently release and spread its tiny spores into the air.
- **Tough Shelf Life:** Hexagonal-Pored Polypore has a tough, leathery texture that helps it stay attached and endure various weather conditions on wood.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 0.5-2 cm
- **Edible:** inedible
- **Size:** 2-10 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** wood
- **Season:** Spring to fall
- **Spore Color:** White

## Ecological connections

- **Depends on:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Decomposes dead wood from this common tree.
- **Depends on:** [American Beech](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-beech) (*Fagus grandifolia*) — Breaks down fallen branches and logs.
- **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Essential for nutrient recycling in forests.

## Traits

- [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:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Hexagonal-Pored 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 Hexagonal-Pored Polypore?

0.5-2 cm

### Is Hexagonal-Pored Polypore edible?

inedible

### How big is Hexagonal-Pored Polypore?

2-10 cm

### Where is Hexagonal-Pored Polypore usually found?

Forests, usually on decaying wood.

### What does Hexagonal-Pored Polypore grow on?

wood

### When is Hexagonal-Pored Polypore in season?

Spring to fall

### What color are Hexagonal-Pored Polypore spores?

White

## Where to spot

- [Gifford State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gifford-state-forest) — Ohio, US · Forest
- [Marshall Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marshall-forest) — Georgia, US · Forest
- [Prouty Place State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/prouty-place-state-park) — Pennsylvania, US · State Park

[View all places to see Hexagonal-Pored Polypore](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hexagonal-pored-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*)

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Source: [Hexagonal-Pored Polypore: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hexagonal-pored-polypore)