Bleeding Oak Crust - Stereum gausapatum

This fungus initially grows in circular crusts and can then develop small overlapping brackets. It is ochre-brown with a pale margin and very leathery. It 'bleeds' red when cut.

Stereum rugosum is similar but lacks the pale margin and is found on several deciduous trees but not on Oak.

On fallen wood and dead attached branches of Oak.

All year round

Widespread and fairly common in Britain

Frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.