Phaeolus schweinitzii (Dyer's Mazegill/Velvet top fungus)

Phaeolus schweinitzii   Family: Fomitopsidaceae

Basidiomycota - polypore bracket

This is a large velvety brown and yellow or rusty brown polypore that can reach a diameter of 40 cm. It is an introduced species common on Pinus radiatus stumps.

Its form of growth is flat, usually forming a rosette of overlapping clusters. rubbery to spongy; upper surface irregularly bumpy, at first densely coverd by fine hairs, reddish to brown often with bright yellow near the margin, turning dark brown to almost black with age.

Pores yellow to greyish brown, greenish-yellow, bruising dark rusty brown, angular, elongate, becoming labyrinthine

Spores white in deposit, elliptical, smooth, nonamyloid.

Occurs near the base of conifers that are dead or weakened by some stress factor

Parasitic butt rot and decomposer of wood.

Comments: Is one of the best mushrooms for dyeing can be used to create yellows, oranges and browns