Climacodon septentrionalis (Fr.) Karsten Fruit body huge, consisting of overlapping fan-shaped caps growing in horizontal clusters 15-30cm high, arising from a solid base which narrows to an attachment about 2cm wide where it enters the wood. Cap 10-15cm across, 2-5cm thick near the base, shelf-like, thinning toward the margin; whitish to yellowish or buff, turning brownish yellow when dry, with very faint zones; densely hairy and roughened. Spines on undersurface 0.5-2cm long, narrow, with lacerated tips, crowded, pliant; dull white drying yellowish. Flesh up to 4cm thick, fibrous, tough, elastic; white, zoned. Odor none or mild when fresh, of ham when dry. Taste none or mild when fresh, bitter when old. Spores ellipsoid, smooth, 2.5-3 x 4-5.5µ. Deposit white. Cystidia thick-walled with encrusted tip. Habitat high up or in the wounds of living deciduous trees such as maple, beech, and birch. Found widely distributed in northeastern North America as far south as Tennessee. Also in Europe. Season July-October. Not edible.