Uptake of 3 2 P phosphorus from soil was investigated in mycelial cord systems of Phanerochaete velutina, Hypholoma fasciculare, Tricholomopsis platyphylla and Phallus impudicus which extended from 0.5, 2, 4 or 8 cm 3 beech (Fagus sylvatica) inocula. Cord systems accumulated between 4.8 and 18.7% of phosphorus supplied to soil, according to species and size of inoculum. Phosphorus translocation to newly-colonized 2 cm 3 beech baits, determined non-destructively, was characterized by an initial steady phase, of 2.5 to 32 nmol P day - 1 which lasted at least 12 days for all four species. After the initial steady phase, translocation rates declined. Initial mycelial extension and wood decay rates also varied with species and inoculum size. There was no clear relationship between phosphorus translocation rates, wood decay or the distribution of soil-derived phosphorus in cord system components. However, with increasing inoculum size, P. velutina systems allocated a significantly greater proportion of available phosphorus to newly-colonized baits. The degree to which distribution of soil-derived phosphorus in cord systems is related to nutrient conservation or metabolic demand in the fungi is discussed.