Odd looking hoof fungus

Please try to include photos to show all parts of the fungus, eg top, stem, and gills.
Note any smells, and associated trees or plants (eg oak, birch). A spore print can be very useful.
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Marmot10
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Odd looking hoof fungus

Post by Marmot10 »

I have just joined this forum, as there is interesting ID forums on line most about eating them which isn't my interest. I am pleased yours is more taxonomy based.
I saw this over the last 2 days in Lloyd park in Croydon at the bottom of 2 dead trees (probably birch) in a copse. About 5 cm across with a tiny mushroom next to it. What kind of hoof fungus is it? V happy if you can ID the little fungus but I appreciate not great picture can get better one now I have read your instructions.
Thanks
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1st sighting Thursday 23/11
1st sighting Thursday 23/11
2nd sighting today
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2nd sighting today
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Lancashire Lad
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Re: Odd looking hoof fungus

Post by Lancashire Lad »

Hi, and welcome to the UK Fungi website.

You fungus is one of the Ganoderma species, but I think it would be impossible to get a confident ID at this stage with photographs alone.

Probably best to keep an eye on its progress and take more photos "as and when".

Good, well focussed, close up photos needed of the top of cap, edges of cap, and the underside of the cap (particularly important in order that the size and structure of the pore surface can be seen).

(If you do get any further photos in due course, add them, along with any additional information, to this thread, rather than starting a new one).

Regards,
Mike.
Common sense is not so common.
Marmot10
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Re: Odd looking hoof fungus

Post by Marmot10 »

Thanks Mike I will try and get some different angles over the next few weeks

Rgds

Martha
Marmot10
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Re: Odd looking hoof fungus

Post by Marmot10 »

Hi Mike,
I have been back with a ruler and taken more pictures at different angles. in 93 you can see the underside well
Brown one 8 cm across 5cm high
Also found 2 smaller younger of versions of the all white one when I took the leaves awa, I am wondering are the same species as the brown one as when I cleared the leaves there found a small white patch which wondered was a new one?
The copse is full of hazel nut trees and both of these fungi are on dead trees.
Hope these help

Rgds Martha
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Lancashire Lad
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Re: Odd looking hoof fungus

Post by Lancashire Lad »

Hi,

I'm tempted to suggest Ganoderma applanatum (Artist's Bracket), although your fruit bodies are, (in Ganoderma lifespan terms), still very young and small, and more confident identification would need larger, more mature fruitbodies (and/or microscopy).

My reasoning for suggesting G.applanatum, is that that species is frequently attacked by the "Yellow Flat-footed Fly (Agathomyia wankowiczii)", which manifests its presence in the form of galls on the pore surface of the fungus fruit body.

The second photo in your post immediately above, appears to have what might be the beginnings of such galls.

To be honest though, I tend to steer clear of crusts and brackets as I don't find them particularly interesting - and so my experience of them is somewhat limited.
Hopefully someone with more "bracket" experience might be able to make further comment.

Regards,
Mike.
Common sense is not so common.
Marmot10
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Re: Odd looking hoof fungus

Post by Marmot10 »

Belated thanks Mike busy Christmas will keep following them.
Cheers
Martha
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