Fossil Polypore

[Neilhayden]

I found this specimen digging in the Hampton Butte area of Oregon.  It was found with typical pieces of petrified wood from the area.  It looks very much like a polypore/conch.   I know fossilized mushrooms are very rare but I’m stumped as to what else it could be.  Thanks for the help!

[Mahnmut]

Hi Neil and welcome to the forum!

I really cannot tell you if this is a fossil polypore, but it definitely resembles one. I know they have been found in lignite, so I would guess it is at least possible that under conditions that preserve wood also a polypore may be fossilized. Cool find anyway, I hope someone else can help you more. if not here, I would consider that one worth asking in a local museum.

Best regards,

J

[Plax]

knot?

[Mahnmut]

On 5/18/2021 at 5:40 PM, Plax said:

knot?

You mean like in burl wood? Thats another possibility. Maybe a close-up picture would help.

[Myrmica]

The internal structure does not look like modern bracket fungi, and such a find would be very rare.  My vote would be for fossilized wood.