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

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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]

Featured sightings

Phaeotrametes decipiens (A Polypore) at Conder, ACT - 7 Jan 2024 by MichaelBedingfield

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) at Nicholls, ACT - 15 Sep 2024 by Hejor1

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) at Fadden, ACT - 7 Aug 2024 by Mike

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) at QPRC LGA - 16 Jun 2024 by LisaH

Phaeotrametes decipiens (A Polypore) at Majura, ACT - 8 Apr 2020 by jb2602

Laetiporus portentosus (White Punk) at Bawley Point, NSW - 17 Aug 2019 by PaulyB

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) at Brogo, NSW - 14 Jun 2016 by CCPK

Piptoporus australiensis (Curry Punk) at Curtin, ACT - 17 Mar 2019 by Heino1

Latest sightings

zz Polypore (shelf/hoof-like) at Shark Creek, NSW by Topwood

Phellinus sp. (non-resupinate) (A polypore) at Bungonia, NSW by KorinneM

Trametes coccinea (Scarlet Bracket) at Gundaroo, NSW by ConBoekel

Laetiporus portentosus (White Punk) at Manton, NSW by SandraH

Trametes sp. at Green Cape, NSW by Hejor1

Polypore sp. at Green Cape, NSW by Hejor1

Trametes coccinea (Scarlet Bracket) at Green Cape, NSW by Hejor1

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) at Uriarra Village, ACT by KenT

Trametes versicolor at Uriarra Village, ACT by KenT

Piptoporus australiensis (Curry Punk) at Russell, ACT by Hejor1

Trametes sp. at Orangeville, NSW by elisebird

Rhodofomitopsis lilacinogilva complex (Lilac Shelf Fungus) at Kangaroo Valley, NSW by lbradley

Trametes coccinea (Scarlet Bracket) at Pebbly Beach, NSW by jeremyahagan

Phellinus sp. (non-resupinate) (A polypore) at Bungonia, NSW by AlisonMilton

Rhodofomitopsis lilacinogilva complex (Lilac Shelf Fungus) at Rocky Hall, NSW by JTran

Trametes sp. at Rocky Hall, NSW by JTran

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Discussion

Heino1 wrote:

17 Dec 2024

Possibly a species of Inonotus (or one of its relatives).

zz Polypore (shelf/hoof-like)

KenT wrote:

11 Dec 2024

I suspect Cerrena is a possibility. I looked at Ryvarden (1991) Genera of Polypores, Synopsis Fungorum 5 where he accepted Cerrena as a monotypic boreal genus (p112). I looked at Breitenbach and Kranzlin (1986) Fungi of Switzerland Vol 2 where the images there for Cerrena unicolor and for Antrodiella hoehnelii (p279) do show some resemblance to the species I photographed. In this case I suspect the literature I've been looking at is now a bit old. After initial a look on the computer I'd made an assumption that the fruit body was partially deformed as underneath it appeared to show some damage from invertebrate feeding and evidence of a possible pathogen in the green/blue discolouration that can be seen in the third image. I will have to see if I can find it again next year.

Cerrena zonata

JTran wrote:

10 Dec 2024

The pores seem to be closer to something like Cerrena zonata. While there's also quite a lot of fruit body variation for that species, comparing these photos with iNaturalist I think the colour, texture and margin on the upper surface are far more consistent with C. zonata than a Trametes.

Cerrena zonata

Heino1 wrote:

6 Dec 2024

Hmm...an unusual versicolor if it is that species.

Cerrena zonata

Heino1 wrote:

5 Dec 2024

In calling this Trametes sp. I have assumed that the undersides of the whiteish caps have numerous tiny pores.The green colour is algal growth. In those species of Trametes with hairy caps algal propagules are easily caught in the hairs and since the hairs can also trap moisture you get a very algal-friendly microhabitat. Also in the photo is then orange Trametes coccinea.

Trametes sp.