Veiled Polypore

The veiled polypore is a common mushroom found growing on the bark of conifers. It is most striking in the spring when the tissue is fresh but it falls to the ground later in the year. At maturity tissue on the underside of the bulb breaks away or is eaten away by insects, revealing the spore-producing surface inside.

Seeing this mushroom is a good indication of a pine beetle infestation as they both feed on the same trees. The veiled polypore actually benefits from the presence of the pine beetles. The spores are produced interally and when the beetles burrow into the hollow chamber on the underside of the mushroom, they become covered in the spores and carry them away when moving to other trees.