A polypores is a type of fungus. The visible part of a fungus is called the fruiting body, while the part that grows inside a tree or in soil is called the mycelium.
Most polypores are wood-decaying fungi. They are most prevalent and diverse in places with an abundance of dead tree matter, such as natural forests and nature reserves. A total of 56 polypore and 99 corticioid fungi species have been found in Pornaistenniemi nature reserve.
Dead, rotting tree and the polypores that grow on them are important nesting and feeding sites for birds, small mammals and many beetles. Wood-decaying fungi release the nutrients contained in wood back into circulation so that they can be used by plant life.
Tinder fungus in Pornaistennimi, photo Helsinki City Material Bank, Sami Kiema.
Willow bracket in Pornaistenniemi, photo Helsinki City Material Bank, Sami Kiema.
Daedaleopsis tricolor in Pornaistenniemi, photo Helsinki City Material Bank, Sami Kiema.