• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mushroom Appreciation
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Growing
  • Species
  • Identification
  • General
  • Recipes
  • Edible Mushrooms
  • Uses
search icon
Homepage link
  • Growing
  • Species
  • Identification
  • General
  • Recipes
  • Edible Mushrooms
  • Uses
×

The Rusty Gilled Polypore: A Comprehensive Guide

Published: Jul 31, 2023 · Modified: Nov 13, 2023 by Jenny · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

The rusty gilled polypore, scientifically known as Gloeophyllum sepiarium, is an attractive and common species of wood decay fungi. It likes to grow from wooden structures, like porches, decks, and other treated lumber, as well as from decomposing deadwood. Due to its propensity to grow on lumber, it is a commonly encountered fungus. The rusty-gilled polypore is a prime example of nature’s vast adaptability and fungi’s complex ecological roles.

  • Scientific Name: Gloeophyllum sepiarium
  • Common Names: Rusty gilled polypore, conifer mazegill, yellow-red gill polypore
  • Habitat: Dead conifer wood, sometimes hardwood
  • Edibility: Inedible, not toxic
rusty gilled polypore
The rusty gilled polypore is super bright and colorful when young.
Jump to:
  • All About The Rusty Gilled Polypore
  • Identifying the Rusty Gilled Polypore
  • Rusty Gilled Polypore Lookalikes
  • Culinary Uses of the Rusty Gilled Polypore
  • Rusty Gilled Polypore Medicinal and Environmental Properties
  • Common Questions About the Rusty Gilled Polypore

All About The Rusty Gilled Polypore

This fungus is known by the common names of conifer mazegill, rusty-gilled polypore, and yellow-red gill polypore, each of which speaks to some defining characteristic of the species. It is known for its distinctive feature of having gills instead of the typical pores found in polypores.

The rusty gilled polypore’s scientific name, Gloeophyllum sepiarium, is derived from Greek and Latin. “Gloeophyllum” means “with sticky leaves,” a reference to the mushroom’s gilled structure. “Sepiarium” translates to “dark or sepia-colored,” hinting at its distinctive coloration.

The species has been recognized and reclassified by various authorities over the years, resulting in a range of synonyms. Some of these include Agaricus asserculorum, Agaricus boletiformis, Agaricus sepiarius, and Lenzites sepiaria among others. However, the accepted binomial name remains Gloeophyllum sepiarium.

Gloeophyllum sepiarium
If you look closely in this image, you can see the gills beneath the cap
rusty-gilled polypore
The rusty-gilled polypore is extremely common across North America

Identifying the Rusty Gilled Polypore

Season

This mushroom is an annual or reviving species, meaning it lives for just one year or acts more like a perennial. This usually depends on location and climate. It appears most prolifically during the late summer and fall seasons. In warmer climates, it may even persist over winter. It is widely distributed across North America and can also be found in other parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

Habitat

The rusty-gilled polypore is a saprobic species, meaning it obtains nutrients by decomposing dead or decaying organic material. This fungus causes a brown rot, breaking down the cellulose in the wood while leaving the lignin behind. It is commonly encountered in wooded areas but can also be found on lumber in urban settings. It is most commonly found on dead conifer wood, making its home on logs and stumps. Although it has a preference for conifers, it can occasionally be found on hardwoods in conifer-dominated ecosystems.

It might appear individually or in dense numbers on the wood.

Gloeophyllum sepiarium
Look for rusty gilled polypores growing from decomposing conifers, including treated lumber

Identification

Cap

The cap ranges in size from 0.8-6 inches wide. It is loosely bracket or fan-shaped and has a texture that transitions from velvety in its youthful phase to smooth as it matures. The coloring is frequently distinctively concentric, with zones of color and texture.

When young, the cap is yellow to orange, but it gradually turns yellow-brown to dark brown with age. It is often nearly black towards the point of attachment to the wood. The outer edge usually retains its yellow or orange hue.

Gills

Unlike the pores commonly found in polypores, the rusty-gilled polypore features irregular and often fusing gills. These are quite close and often mixed with slot-like pores, giving it a maze-like appearance. The gills are creamy or pale brown when young with yellow-brown edges; they become darker brown with age.

Stem

The rusty-gilled polypore lacks a stem, a common characteristic of many polypores. The fruiting body is primarily composed of the cap and the gills.

Flesh

The flesh of the rusty gilled polypore is dark rusty brown or dark yellow-brown with a corky texture.

Odor and Taste

The mushroom has a mild odor and taste.

Spore Print

The rusty gilled polypore produces a white spore print.

rusty gilled polypore
The gills look very maze-like and also feature zonal coloring
Gloeophyllum sepiarium
The cap is velvety, especially when young, with concentric zonal coloring
Gloeophyllum sepiarium
Stems are absent
rusty gilled polypore
With age, the colors fade but there are still distinctive zones of color

Rusty Gilled Polypore Lookalikes

Oak Mazegill (Daedalea quercina)

The oak mazegill is similar in appearance but grows on oaks and has a lighter colored cap.

Oak Mazegill (Daedalea quercina)
The cap of Oak Mazegill (Daedalea quercina) is MUCH lighter

Gilled Polypore (Lenzites betulina)

The gilled polypore or birch mazegill has white gills and typically grows on hardwoods. It is lighter colored, but also has the concentric color zones which can make it easy to confuse with older, “washed out” rusty gilled polypores. Pay attention to cap and gills coloring as well as tree host to be sure.

gilled polypore
The gilled polypore is much lighter colored and grows on hardwoods

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

Turkey tail is superficially similar from a top view but lacks the distinctive gills of the rusty-gilled polypore. Turkey tail fungi have white pores on their underside.

turkey tail
Look at the smooth undersurface of the turkey tail

Porodaedalea pini

This species is one of the largest fungal killers of conifer trees. Like the rusty gilled polypore, this fungus also features a brown spore print and a hard, thick, rough cap. However, it tends to grow on live trees, setting it apart from the rusty gilled polypore. It also has pores, not gills, which easily differentiates it from the rusty gilled polypore.

Porodaedalea pini
Porodaedalea pini has pores, not gills, and grows on living trees

Culinary Uses of the Rusty Gilled Polypore

While the rusty gilled polypore is not considered edible due to its tough, corky texture, it is important to note that “inedible” does not necessarily mean “toxic.” Always remember to correctly identify any mushroom before consumption and avoid eating any mushroom you are unsure about.

rusty-gilled polypore
the rusty gilled polypore is too tough to eatsty-gi

Rusty Gilled Polypore Medicinal and Environmental Properties

The rusty gilled polypore, like many fungi, is being studied for potential medicinal uses. Research has indicated that it may possess antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Moreover, it has demonstrated effectiveness as a bioremediation tool, showing the ability to remove significant amounts of chromium from the soil.

Gloeophyllum sepiarium
This fungus shows medicinal and environmental promise

Common Questions About the Rusty Gilled Polypore

Is rusty gilled polypore edible?

It is not edible due to it’s corky, leathery texture. However, it’s not poisonous either.

More Mushroom Species

  • Pinwheels and Parachutes: Marasmius Mushrooms of North America
  • Little Trumpet Mushrooms: Xeromphalina Species of North America
  • Funeral Bell Mushroom: All About This Aptly Named, Widespread Species
  • Bay Bolete: Identification, Foraging, and Lookalikes

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Jenny foraging for mushrooms

Hi, I'm Jenny! I am a seasoned mushroom expert with over 10 years of experience in the field. My blog focuses on North American mushroom species.

More about me →

Recent Guides:

  • Mycophobia: Why Do We Fear Mushrooms?
  • The 15 Weirdest Mushrooms In The World
  • Parts of a Mushroom: Stem Rings and Skirts
  • 10 Mushroom Myths Explored: Fact vs Fiction

Popular:

  • Mushroom Identification Pictures and Examples
  • Bright orange laetiporus sulphureus, large specimen
    Chasing the Chicken of the Woods (Facts, Identification, and Recipes)
  • Oyster Mushroom: Identification, Foraging, and Cooking
  • Chanterelle Mushrooms: Identification, Foraging, and Look-Alikes

Categories

  • Black Trumpet
  • Boletes
  • Chanterelles
  • Chicken of the Woods
  • Edible Mushrooms
  • General Information
  • Growing
  • Hen of the Woods
  • Identification Techniques
  • Kids
  • Lion's Mane
  • Medicinal Mushrooms
  • Morel
  • Mushroom Recipes
  • Mushroom Species
  • Oysters
  • Poisonous Mushrooms
  • Polypores
  • Puffballs
  • Regional Guides
  • Reishi
  • Slime Molds
  • Uses

Pages

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

About Me

Jenny foraging for mushrooms

Hi, I'm Jenny! I am a seasoned mushroom expert with over 10 years of experience in the field. My blog focuses on North American mushroom species.

More about me →

Recent Guides:

  • How to Prepare Chanterelle Mushrooms: Cleaning, Prepping, and Cooking Guide
  • How to Clean and Cook Oyster Mushrooms: Complete Oyster Mushroom Preparation Guide
  • How To Grow Shiitake Mushrooms In Sawdust Bags
  • How to Grow Lion’s Mane Mushrooms in Your Kitchen

Popular:

  • Mushroom Identification Pictures and Examples
  • Bright orange laetiporus sulphureus, large specimen
    Chasing the Chicken of the Woods (Facts, Identification, and Recipes)
  • Oyster Mushroom: Identification, Foraging, and Cooking
  • Chanterelle Mushrooms: Identification, Foraging, and Look-Alikes

Categories

  • Black Trumpet
  • Boletes
  • Chanterelles
  • Chicken of the Woods
  • Edible Mushrooms
  • General Information
  • Growing
  • Hen of the Woods
  • Identification Techniques
  • Kids
  • Lion's Mane
  • Medicinal Mushrooms
  • Morel
  • Mushroom Recipes
  • Mushroom Species
  • Oysters
  • Poisonous Mushrooms
  • Polypores
  • Puffballs
  • Regional Guides
  • Reishi
  • Slime Molds
  • Uses

Pages

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

About Me

Copyright © 2025 · Mushroom Appreciation LLC

139 shares