Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: spore stain below

Shelf or Bracket Fungus

05 Nov 2014 251
I have seen various species of shelf or bracket fungus, but I’m never sure of their IDs. I think, but am not sure, that this could be an Artist’s Conk (Ganoderma applanatum). Photograph was taken on 6 September 2014 at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park, SW of Calgary. “The shelf fungi are a major wood rotting group. Once a tree is infected, the fungus cannot be killed. Artists use shelf fungi to make etchings and beads. The pore surface of the Artist's Conk, Ganoderma applanatum, changes color when bruised. A nail produces broad lines; sharp needles produce very fine lines. An intricate etching takes a lot of patience and time. Beads are made by carving large shelves much like you would a block of wood.” herbarium.usu.edu/fungi/funfacts/shelffungi.htm en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganoderma_applanatum