Pored or somewhat maze-like on underside [bracket polypores]



In most species of this sub-group, the underside of the fruitbody has pores. In most cases the pores are small (two or more per millimetre) and of uniform size and appearance. However, in some species the pores are larger or of irregular shapes and sizes or incomplete and so giving a maze-like appearance. Sometimes you may see a mix of pored and maze-like regions in the one fruitbody.

 

In the following hints you see examples of useful identification features and a few of the more commonly seen genera in which at least some species (not necessarily all) show those features.

 

Hints

Red, fleshy texture: Fistulina.

Orange, leathery to corky texture: Piptoporus, Pycnoporus, Rigidoporus.

Pinkish to pinkish-brown, texture of firm rubber: Rhodofomitopsis.

Corky texture; creamy to yellow- brown: Perenniporia.

Upper surface furry & orange-brown to red-brown, pores white: Postia.

Large, creamy to pale brown, on live trees: Laetiporus.

 

On the wood of native or introduced conifers: Gloeophyllum.

 

Pores large, several millimetres in diameter: Hexagonia.

Underside maze-like or a mixture of pores & irregular gills: Cerrena, Gloeophyllum.

 

Hard & woody, black upper surface, pores brown to bronze: Phellinus.

Hard & woody, brown upper surface, pores white & marking brown: Ganoderma.

Hard & woody, brown upper surface, pores white & not marking brown: Fomes.

 

Roughly semi-circular, leathery, concentrically banded upper surface; white pores: Trametes.

     Note: Trametes is a very common genus and is the one (with these features)

                 that you are most likely to see.  

 

 


Pored or somewhat maze-like on underside [bracket polypores]

Announcements

There are currently no announcements.

Discussion

Heinol wrote:
Yesterday
Looks to be not yet fully developed.

Phellinus sp. (non-resupinate)
Jennybach wrote:
5 Jul 2025
An organism with a fascinating back story, thanks :)

Trametes coccinea
Pam wrote:
5 Jul 2025
Great information. Thanks Heino and Mike. Prickly Pear....well oops!!!

Trametes coccinea
Mike wrote:
4 Jul 2025
And some Australian history ... Cochineal is also made by South American scale insects, used by Aztecs and later by Spanish invaders. This insect was brought to Australia in 1788 to start a local industry that would destroy the Spanish monopoly of red dye for military uniforms (redcoats). The insects did not fare very well but their host plants did extremely well - prickly pear.

Trametes coccinea
Jennybach wrote:
4 Jul 2025
Fascinating. I am interested. I listen and look for root words in plant names that English shares as it helps me remember the scientific names. When I started in Landcare 2 years ago my convenor suggested I learn the scientific names as the common names are inexact and can be confusing. Very good advice I find. I’ll check it out. Thanks

Trametes coccinea
831,830 sightings of 22,898 species from 14,419 members
CCA 3.0 | privacy
NatureMapr is developed by at3am IT Pty Ltd and is proudly Australian made