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.
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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