FAUNA and FUNGHI of MALTA (www.MaltaFauna.com) Phellinus torulosus  (Pers.) Bourdot & Galzin 1925 Main synonym = Boletus torulosus    Pers. 1818 Taxonomical Classification:  Fungi / Basidiomycota / Agaricomycetes / Hymenochaetales / Hymenochaetaceae Eucalyptus white rot     Maltese name not known Further Information: Grows and parasitize on lower parts of trunks of trees namely Eucalyptus, Chestnuts (Castanea), Oaks (Quercus) and Poplars (Populus). Trees exhibit poor growth, defoliation and dieback of the branches and apexes. Presence of large fruiting bodies (carpophores) which at first they are yellow in colour and latter brown. They are variable in form. These perennial fruiting bodies may persist and enlarge for many years. Infected heartwood often shows a spongy whitish rot. Roots can also be affected. Heartwood decay causes reduction of timber quality. Infected trees can survive many years, but the decay predisposes the trees to breakage. When the wood is highly affected, the fungus produces large sexual fruiting bodies at the base of the tree trunk (carpophores). Spores are spread from mature carpophores. All over the year, the spores of P. torulosus enter the tree through wounds at the base of the trunk. Once within the tree the fungus grows mainly in the heartwood and in the roots. Trees can survive for some years, but the fungus progressively invades the wood causing decay and rot root. Search for Phellinus torulosus  in the following online resources: Search on Google Google Scholar More info on Wikipedia Global Biodiversity NCBI Database Watch on YouTube Other Links and info Funghi & Fauna Main Page Wild Plants Main Index Close This Window Image Code: PHEL-TOR (required to buy images in this page) This website needs financial support through sponsors or advertisment - check here . All material and data on this webpage (www.MaltaWildPlants.com) is under the copyright of Stephen Mifsud (2002-2018) This environment and biodiversity awareness website about the flora and fauna of Malta is sponsored by: