Summary:
The fruitbodies of Inonotus cuticularis are semicircular and flattened, growing on hardwoods without a stem, the upper surface at first yellowish brown and tomentose or radially fibrillose, the pore surface pale brown, and the flesh bright yellowish brown to reddish brown. Microscopically there are branched setae on cap surface, and there are setae also on the spore-bearing surface but not projecting. The description is derived from Gilbertson(1).

Odor:
indistinct (Buczacki)

Taste:
indistinct (Buczacki)

Microscopic:
spores 6-8 x 4.5-5.5 microns, broadly elliptic to oval, smooth, inamyloid, pale to dark yellowish brown; basidia 4-spored, 16-21 x 7-8 microns, broadly clavate, simple septate at base; branched setal hyphae abundant on cap surface, firm- to thick-walled, branching pattern variable, monopodial to dichotomous, branches often curved, main axis up to 12 microns wide, simple, unbranched setal elements similar to cap setae also present on hymenial surface (rarely projecting beyond cystidia); context hyphae of two types, some 5-11 microns wide, thin-walled to thick-walled, simple-septate, pale yellowish, with infrequent branching, others 2.5-5 microns wide, thin-walled to thick-walled, pale brownish to almost colorless, with frequent branching, simple septate, (Gilbertson)

Spore Deposit:
bright yellowish brown, (Gilbertson)

Notes:
Inonotus cuticularis has been found in BC, WA, MB, NS, ON, PQ, AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, and WV, (Gilbertson). In BC it is known from one collection on Quercus garryana (Ginns(28)).

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Polyporus cuticularis Bull.: Fr.