Rena Wertzer discovered this huge polypore growing on her property and brought it to the walk for identification. Meripilus giganteus grows in overlapping fan-shaped caps attached to a base at the bottom of deciduous trees, particularly oak and beech. It is commonly known as the 'Black-staining Polypore' because it bruises black. The spore print of this fleshy polypore is white. It is one of three common edible polypores that are beginning to appear in abundance, including Laetiporus sulphureus ('Chicken Mushroom') and Grifola frondosa (Hen of the Woods').