Skeletocutis nivea is a species of polypore fungus that grows on decaying wood, typically forming small to medium-sized, semicircular to fan-shaped or resupinate fruiting bodies with a white to cream-colored pore surface. In East and Central Texas, it has been found on deciduous trees, particularly oak and elm, often in wooded areas with rich soil and abundant leaf litter. The fungus is relatively rare in the region, but can be encountered during the summer and fall months, typically at elevations below 500 meters.
White poria fungus Skeletocutis nivea on a fallen tree branch on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 18, 2022 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Close-up of white poria fungus Skeletocutis nivea on a fallen tree branch with glancing pore surface, pores around 10 per mm, on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 18, 2022 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
White caps of polypore mushroom Skeletocutis nivea on a tree branch on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 18, 2022 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Underside of white caps of polypore mushroom Skeletocutis nivea on a tree branch on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 18, 2022 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Spores of white poria fungus Skeletocutis nivea on a fallen tree branch collected a day before on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 19, 2022 Spore size 2.9 - 3.1 × 0.5 - 0.6 µm, length to width ratio Q = 4.9 - 6.3.
AI-generated summary of observations
Observations of the fungus Skeletocutis nivea in East and Central Texas revealed its growth on fallen tree branches in the Sam Houston National Forest. The fungus was found to have a white appearance with a glancing pore surface, featuring around 10 pores per millimeter. Close-up views showed the intricate details of the pore surface. The fungus formed white caps on tree branches, which were also observed from their underside. Spore collection revealed further characteristics of the fungus. The observations took place in September 2022, specifically on September 18 and 19, along the Caney Creek section of the Lone Star Hiking Trail, north of Montgomery, Texas. These findings provide insight into the morphology and growth habits of Skeletocutis nivea in this region. The observations highlight the fungus's distinctive features and its presence in the forest ecosystem.