Artist’s Fungus – Ganoderma applanatum

Fungi of the Week

10th January 2020 | Info

Common Name: Artist’s fungus

Scientific name: Ganoderma applanatum

Introduction: Artist’s fungus is a native perennial bracket fungus that gained its name due to its white underside that when scratched leaves behind brown marks, much like a drawing.

[Image: ‘Artwork’ drawn onto the bracket fungus]

Identification

Cap: When forming, the cap is white in colour. As the fungus matures, it then changes to a reddy-brown colour, developing a hard, leather-like texture. It also develops annual growth ridges on its upper surface.

Pores: Small, round and white when young but turn brown as the fungus matures.

Stem: Stemless.

Spores: Ellipsoidal-ovate. Leave behind a brown spore print.

Flesh: When cut through, you can see layers of tube pores. These layers help to indicate how old the fruiting body is.

Habitat:

They grow in tiered layers (brackets), particularly on Oak and Beech trees, but also on other conifers.

Impact on Trees:

Artist’s Fungus are parasitic and saprobic, meaning they feed and live off-of dead/dying/decaying wood, including felled or fallen trunks and branches.

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