Southern Bracket - Ganoderma australe

A large bracket varying in colour from ochre, through reddish to dark brown. The underside is white. Great care is needed when identifying this species (see below). Spores ovoid, twin-walled, truncate at the apex, 8-13 x 5.5-9µm.

Artist’s Fungus Ganoderma applanatum is very similar though less common, and the two are impossible to identify with certainty without microscopic examination of spores. 

On trunks of living deciduous trees causing serious heart-rot.

All year

Very common and widespread in Britain

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.