Pycnoporus cinnabarinus (Jacq. : Fr.) P. Karst. 1881

Cinnabar polypore

About plant names...

The northern cinnabar polypore occurs in northern areas of America, Asia, and Europe. It is rare in many areas. Both its common and scientific names refer to its resemblence to the red-orange mineral cinnabar. It is a “white rot” fungus, whose mycelium breaks down dead wood.

Identification: The most obvious identifying feature of this fungus is its bright orange color. This is a polypore, a tough, leathery species that inhabits and breaks down fallen wood, especially cherry, beech, and birch. The fruiting bodies are roughly circular or kidney-shaped, ¾-5" (2-13 cm) across and up to ¾" (2 cm) thick. The bright orange color dulls with age. The upper surface has a softish texture reminiscent of suede. Undersides are also orange, with 2-4 round, angular, or sometimes slot-lie pores per millimeter. There is no stem. The spore print is white.

Edibility: Not edible.

Medical: Several studies have found that cinnabarinic acid produced by this fungus has antibacterial properties that may lead to future antibiotics.

Online References:

Pycnoporus cinnabarinus on Michael Kuo's MushroomExpert.com

Pycnoporus cinnabarinus on ultimate-mushroom.com

10/2/2010 · Hackers Trail, Cliff Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 12 × 8" (31 × 20 cm) ID is uncertain

5/13/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 9" (15 × 23 cm)

8/6/2021 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine
≈ 4 × 3½" (10 × 9.5 cm)

8/6/2021 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine
≈ 3 × 3" (8.3 × 7.5 cm)

5/13/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 4½ × 5" (11 × 13 cm)

Probably on black birch. · 8/16/2014 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 10 × 7" (25 × 16 cm)

7/2/2005 · Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts ID is uncertain

4/18/2021 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine
≈ 2 × 1¾" (5.4 × 4.7 cm)

4/18/2021 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine
≈ 3 × 2½" (7.7 × 7 cm)

Pycnoporus cinnabarinus description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 18 Aug 2021.

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4/18/2021 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine
≈ 1¾ × 1½" (4.4 × 3.9 cm)

10/27/2004 · Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts ID is uncertain

8/5/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 8 × 9" (21 × 23 cm) ID is uncertain

8/6/2021 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine
≈ 4½ × 3½" (11 × 9.4 cm)

10/2/2010 · Hackers Trail, Cliff Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 8 × 7" (19 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain

10/2/2010 · Hackers Trail, Cliff Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 11 × 7" (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain

Probably on black birch. · 8/16/2014 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 9" (15 × 23 cm)

8/5/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 3½ × 4½" (8.7 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain

Probably on black birch. · 8/16/2014 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 10 × 7" (25 × 16 cm)

Probably on black birch. · 8/16/2014 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 5 × 8" (12 × 19 cm)

Probably on black birch. · 8/16/2014 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 4" (16 × 10 cm)

8/25/2021 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine
≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 14 cm)

Probably on black birch. · 8/16/2014 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 8 × 5" (20 × 13 cm)