Fomitopsis

The genus was circumscribed by Finnish mycologist Petter Karsten in 1881 with Fomitopsis pinicola as the type species.^[2] Molecular analysis indicates that Fomitopsis belongs to the antrodia clade, which contains about 70 percent of brown-rot fungi. Other genera that join Fomitopsis in the core antrodia group include Amyloporia, Antrodia, Daedalea, Melanoporia, Piptoporus, and Rhodonia.^[3] Studies have indicated that Fomitopsis and Piptoporus were phylogenetically heterogenous, and the type of that genus, Piptoporus betulinus, is in the Fomitopsis core group.^[4] This fungus, well known for its use by Ötzi the Iceman, was transferred to Fomitopsis in 2016.^[5]

The whole genome sequence of Fomitopsis palustris was reported in 2017.^[6]

The generic name combines the name Fomes with the Ancient Greek word ὄψις ("appearance").^[7]

Fomitopsis species have fruit bodies that are mostly perennial, with forms ranging from sessile to effused-reflexed (partially crust-like and partially pileate). Fruit body texture is typically tough to woody, and the pore surface is white to tan or pinkish-colored with mostly small and regular pores. Microscopically, Fomitopsis has a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae. The spores are hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, roughly spherical to cylindrical, and are negative in Melzer's reagent. Fomitopsis fungi cause a brown rot.^[5]

More than 40 species have been accepted in Fomitopsis.