polyporus

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

Polyporus
    n 1: type genus of the Polyporaceae; includes important
         pathogens of e.g. birches and conifers [syn: {Polyporus},
         {genus Polyporus}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Polyporus \Po*lyp"o*rus\, n.; pl. {Polypori}. [NL., fr. Gr.
   poly`s many + ? a pore.] (Bot.)
   A genus of fungi having the under surface full of minute
   pores; also, any fungus of this genus.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: {Polyporus fomentarius} was formerly dried and cut in
         slices for tinder, called amadou. {Polyporus betulinus}
         is common in America, and forms very large thick white
         semicircular excrescences on birch trees. Several
         species of {Polyporous} are considered edible.
         [1913 Webster]