Large pork-pie shaped tree fungus - any ideas?

Kentish · #1 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 12:23 AM

Does anybody know what this fungus is? I was struck by how large it was - to give you an idea of size, the black case next to it is about 15 cm tall. On closer inspection, I was surprised to see that there had been grass shoots growing out of the top. Most were dead and dry already but there is one large green shoot in the front that sprouted not too long ago. This suggests that it has been there for some time. There were other shrivelled and dead specimens nearby on the same tree
It was growing at the base of a large dead tree trunk in Horsham, West Sussex.
I'd be interested if anyone can ID it for me.
Thanks,
Kentish

fairplay · #2 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 07:08 AM

Hello Kentish, and a big welcome to WAB.

Your fungus looks to be a very unusually shaped Ganoderma resinaceum bracket fungus.
This is most often seen on Oak trees (which is the reason why it is important to let us know the type of tree it is growing on

) growing near the base.

This may last till next year, but it only produces spores in its first (this) year.If you look closely on the surface you will see why it has the name resinacium and it is said if you hold a naked flame to it, the surface will melt but this fungus is too spectacular to want to damage.

Neil.

Kentish · #3 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 11:02 PM

Hi Neil,
Many thanks for the ID. Regarding the tree species - are you saying you can't recognize it from the bark pattern in the photo??

To be honest, I have no idea what the tree is - it has been cut at about 20 feet high and so there are no leaves to help identify the species. I think it's dead but I'm not sure. I'll have another look next time I go there.
I've also uploaded two other photos of the specimen. In this one below, you can see more of the tree stump and also another less-interesting specimen to the left - maybe I'll take a match to this other one!

And here's a close-up view of the specimen, in case there are any additional tell-tale signs to help confirm the identification:

I'll have another look at it the week after next. Apart from holding a flame next to it or damaging it in any other way, are there any other diagnostic features I could try to photograph?
Thanks,
Kentish

fairplay · #4 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 11:22 PM

I can recognise the bark actually, and for me, it has to be Oak.

The identification clincher for me is that cream/coffee coloured rim, but the shape of this specimen is really extraordinary.

Neil.