Nordic mushrooms – get to know the species
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Sheep polypore

Sheep polypore

Albatrellus ovinus
Edible
★★★☆☆
Taste rating: 3 out of 5

How to identify it

Cap
Cap white to grey-white or yellow-white, often irregularly rounded and several centimetres wide. Older specimens may develop yellow-brown spots.
Underside
Underside consists of very small white to yellow-white pores that run slightly down the stem. Pores become yellower with age.
Stem
Stem whitish to yellow-white, stout and often slightly off-centre.
Smell
Mild, pleasant mushroom smell.

Occurrence and habitat

Grows mainly in coniferous woodland, often on mossy ground and in older spruce and pine forests.

Look-alike species

These mushrooms can resemble Sheep polypore. Look closely at features, habitat and images to see the differences.

Yellow sheep polypore
Yellow sheep polypore
Albatrellus citrinus
★★★★★
Weak flavor

A closely related species that grows with spruce and develops lemon-yellow colour changes when damaged.

Read more about Yellow sheep polypore ›
Sheep polypore
Sheep polypore
Albatrellus ovinus
★★★★★
Good edible mushroom

Compare the cap, underside, stem, smell and habitat for reliable identification.

Read more about Sheep polypore ›

Preparation

Clean carefully and cut away hard parts. Fry, stew or use in soup. Young specimens have the best texture.

Recipe suggestions

Pan-fried sheep polypore with onion, cream and thyme, served with potatoes.

Images – study the mushroom from several angles

Click an image to display it as the main image.

⚠ Important safety information

Use firm, fresh specimens. Older sheep polypores can become tough. Safe identification is important because several polypores occur in the same habitat.

Facts and sources

Sources
Svampguiden; SLU Artdatabanken/Artfakta
Checked batch 10 – fact text compiled against