A New Species, Phlebia Brevispora, A Cause of Internal Decay in Utility Poles

SUMMARY

A new species, Phlebia brevispora (Corticiaceae, Aphyllophorales), is proposed for the fungus previously identified on the basis of cultural traits only as Peniphora A. Basidiocarp and culture descriptions of the fungus are provided. The fungus causes a white rot, and is shown, by soil-block testing, to be capable of causing substantial decay in southern pine wood. This capability, coupled with its past isolation from internally decayed utility poles and posts, shows P. brevispora to be important in the decay of these structures.