maybe Heterobasidion annosum

[CloudedYellow]

This bracket looks like Heterobasidion annosum (Root Rot) to me yet it is growing at the base of 'silver' birch in mixed deciduous woodland. It has a pleasant smell which I think of as resinous but I have already learnt that interpretation of smells vary from person to person. I guess Ischnoderma resinosum Benzoin Bracket (associated with broad-leaf trees) is a possibility but I have not seen that before. My previous sightings of Heterobasidion annosum have all been with conifers.

According to the FRDBI (a nationwide database of fungi records for those who may not know) there are several Notts records of Heterobasidion annosum associated with deciduous trees and even one with birch.

Microscopy of the spores would have helped but so far I have not managed to collect any on glass slides.

Thanks

[CapAndBracket]

Looks correct to me (wait to see what experts say), according to Phillips and others this is yet another species that in time may be classed as several species based on habitat, (i believe the willow bracket is another thats suspected to be more than one species).

Again this raises the problem of what defines a species, as the only difference allowing them to grow on different substrates (types of wood) may be one gene that codes for a an enzyme used to break down the wood!

Cheers J.P.

[fairplay]

I do a lot of conservation work on heathland clearing pine and birch (sorry chap's, but it's got to be done) and come across 'Fomes' or Root Rot quite often and the photo certainly looks that way to me. I think I have seen it too with birch but it could be attached to hidden pine roots or remains of a pine stump and as you probably know, birch comes up in no time and seeds readily germinate and grow almost anywhere,including old stumps and even in the crutch of the mother tree with the roots growing down the trunk and into the soil resulting in some fantastic shapes after mum has rotted away. Sorry, I got a bit carried away there. Fairplay.

[Fungus Ken]

Originally Posted by fairplay

Sorry, I got a bit carried away there.

It's OK. This is a safe place to get carried away by a passion for wildlife and fungi. You are in like-minded company.

The bracket in the photo does look like an old specimen of Heterobasidion annosum to me. It is often much brighter rust-red on the upper surface, contrasting markedly with the white pores, but the colour fades to a darker brown with age and the contrast with the pore surface becomes less distinct.

Here is what the Basidiomycota Checklist has to say about this species:

"Habitat: Parasitic then saprotrophic. A virulent root pathogen especially in conifer plantations. Known on a wide range of conifers, but also on deciduous hosts, and on Erica and Calluna.

Notes: Very common and widespread. Recent evidence suggests that this is probably a species complex."

Ken

[CloudedYellow]

Thank you all.

To my surprise I have managed to obtain some spores - they are consistent with Heterobasidion annosum! I wonder if there are any tips for getting spores from brackets - probably best start a new thread!

Richard