Nordic mushrooms – get to know the species
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Coral Polypore

Coral Polypore

Grifola frondosa
Edible
★★★☆☆
Taste rating: 3 out of 5

How to identify it

Cap
Dense tufts of spatula-shaped caps branching from a thick base. The caps are light grey-brown to dark blackish brown.
Underside
White, decurrent tubes on the underside of the caps that do not darken when touched.
Stem
A thick common base divides into many branches.
Smell
No distinct smell is given as the main characteristic.

Occurrence and habitat

It grows at the base of old, damaged, dead or living oaks in southern Sweden.

Preparation

The species is edible but according to Svampguiden it should be left in nature because it is near threatened. Therefore the app gives no recommendation for picking or cooking it.

Recipe suggestions

No recipe recommendation

Coral Polypore should not be used as an edible mushroom in Svampboken. No cooking is recommended for this species.

Images – study the mushroom from several angles

Click an image to display it as the main image.

⚠ Important safety information

The species is near threatened and is not recommended for picking despite being edible; leave it where it grows.

Facts and sources

Sources
Svampguiden; SLU Artdatabanken / Artfakta as an ongoing reference source
Factual text compiled and checked 2026-09-27