Home • Phellinus igniarius CCBS 575 v1.0
Photo: Phellinus igniarius polypore (credit: Michal Tomsovsky).
Photo: Phellinus igniarius polypore (credit: Michal Tomsovsky).

The Phellinus igniarius genome was sequenced as part of the JGI CSP “1000 Fungal Genomes – Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya” project. Within the framework of this project, we are sequencing keystone lineages of saprophytic, mycorrhizal, and endophytic fungi that are of special ecological importance. Most sequenced species were harvested on Long-term Ecological Observatory to serve as the foundation for a reference genome database for metagenomics of fungi and for a comprehensive survey of the soil fungal metatranscriptome.

The willow bracket polypore (Phellinus igniarius)

The willow bracket (Phellinus igniarius) is a common wood-decomposing fungus of hardwood trees of the Northern temperate zone. Typically, it is a parasitic species that inhabits willow trees and poplars where it causes white rot of wood. The fungus often establishes as a long-term parasite on the host tree that forms perennial fruitbodies, the bracket. The peroxidase of P. igniarius was among the first fungal peroxidases to be purified already in 1970s and the enzyme was shown to have specific biochemical features. Recently, the fungus became a target of exploration due to the production of antioxidants and the immunomodulatory effects of its polysaccharides that make it one of the most used fungal species in traditional Asian medicine. Genome sequencing should aid the understanding of the wood-decomposing enzymes and mechanisms that enable the fungus to form the long-term association with its host. Furthermore, genomic insights should also shed some light on the synthesis of specific polysaccharides with medical potential.


The strain used for sequencing was provided by Dr. Petr Baldrian.


The 1KFG project is a large collaborative effort aiming for master publication(s). Please do contact the 1KFG PI (Dr. Francis Martin) for permission prior to the use of any data in publications.