Unlike the order Agaricales , the Aphyllophorales are quite varied in shape. In general, the mushrooms of these fungi do not have a stereotypical mushroom form and many are not recognized as mushrooms by the neophyte mushroom lover. Like the Agaricales , however, many of these species provide beauty to the forest and delight to the intrepid epicurean. The following species represent the more prominent families of this Order.
Polypores are the primary forest recyclers.
They typically inhabit living or dead trees, slowly converting them back to the basic nutrients needed to fertilize living forest trees. The polypore is so called because its underside is covered by many pores which produce the spores. Most of these mushrooms are fairly non-descript and easily overlooked. Tender young specimens can be cooked up just like chicken into a very satisfying dish. The gills are split lengthwise and often curve in a rather decorative pattern, as depicted in the spore print to the right.