Heterobasidion occidentale is a tree root-rotting pathogenic fungus in the family Bondarzewiaceae. It is endemic in western North America west of the Rocky Mountains from Alaska to southern Mexico. While a natural agent of forest turnover, H. occidentale has become of increased concern due to forest management processes such as pre-commercial thinning, altered site density and species composition, and carbon sequestration. H. occidentale is part of the S-type intersterility group differing from the other North American species H. irregulare.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Heterobasidion occidentale being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Heterobasidion annosum
- Heterobasidion irregulare
- Heterobasidion parviporum
- Fomitopsis ochracea
- Australoporus tasmanicus
Classification
- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Russulales
- Family
- Bondarzewiaceae
- Genus
- Heterobasidion
- Species
- Heterobasidion occidentale
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