Ganoderma applanatum - Artist's Fungus

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Polyporales

Ganoderma applanatum is a very common perennial bracket fungus. The underside is creamy white and can be scratched with a sharp point to leave brown marks; hence it can be used to produce artistic images - hence the common name. When it releases spores, this large bracket fungus colours the surrounding area with dense brown dust.

This tough, inedible bracket lives for many years, developing noticeable annual growth ridges on the upper surface. If you cut through this bracket fungus you will see layers of tube pores - the number of layers gives a clue to the age of the fruitbody.

Identification Guide

Description	A common sight where trees fall and are not harvested, this large bracket fungus usually occasionally in tiered groups at the base of trees, particularly oak and beech but also on conifers, and more often on fallen or felled trunks and large branches. 15 to 50cm across and 5 to 10cm thick, the fruiting body has an off-white margin and a brown top.
Tubes and Pores	The tubes are up to 12mm deep. The small round pores, typically five per mm, are white when the fruiting body is young, turning brown with age or when bruised.
Spore print	Brown.
Odour/taste	A 'mushroomy' odour and a bitter taste.
Habitat	On dying tree trunks and most often on felled trunks.
Season	Perennial but releasing spores in late summer and autumn.
Occurrence	Common.
Similar species	Ganoderma resinaceum, which releases a yellow resin when broken, has a much thicker white margin than Ganoderma applanatum .