Pycnoporus cinnabarinus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pycnoporus cinnabarinus | |
|---|---|
_P._Karst_153.jpg) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Polyporales |
| Family: | Polyporaceae |
| Genus: | Pycnoporus |
| Species: | P. cinnabarinus |
| Binomial name | |
| Pycnoporus cinnabarinus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Pycnoporus cinnabarinus | |
|---|---|
 | Pores on hymenium |
 | Hymenium attachment is not applicable |
| Lacks a stipe |
 | Ecology is saprotrophic |
 | Edibility is inedible |
Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, also known as the cinnabar polypore, is a saprophytic, white rot decomposer.
Its fruit body is a bright orangish shelf fungus up to 12 centimetres (4+3⁄4 in) across and 1.5 cm (5⁄8 in) thick. It stains dark in potassium hydroxide.[2] There 2–4 pores per mm. The spore print is white.[2]
It is common in many areas and is widely distributed throughout the world.[citation needed] It is inedible.[3] It produces cinnabarinic acid to protect itself from bacteria.[4]
Pycnoporus cinnabarinus contribute to forest ecological heath by breaking down lignin in the wood of dead trees.[5] Its ability to break down lignin facilitates nutrient cycling in mostly deciduous and temperate woodlands that contain hardwoods. Although primarily recognized as a saprophytic fungus, it has also been observed in mycorrhizal relationships under certain forest conditions which is not fully understood.[6]
This species has also drawn attention for its potential biotechnological applications one of which includes natural flavor production and green chemistry.[7]
