Ganoderma applanatum Pers., Pat.

Common name(s): Artist's Bracket, Artist's Conk, Artist's Fungus, Bear Bread, Artist's Bracket Fungus

Family: Ganodermataceae Synonym(s): Boletus applanatus, Elfvingia applanata, Fomes applanatus, Fomes vegetus, Ganoderme aplani, Ganoderma lipsiense, polyporus applanatus, Polyporus vegetus
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Fungi
Fungi
Taken by Ken Harrington on 2nd January, 2000 at Maleny, Queensland
Pileus_cap
Pileus (Cap)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Lamellae_polypore
Lamellae (Polypore)
Taken by Ken Harrington
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Fungi / Mould Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • TAS: All
  • VIC: , WA, OP, OR, GP, EG
  • NSW: NC, CT, CC, ST, SC
  • QLD: CO, KN, PC, BN, WB, DD, MO
  • SA: NL, SL
  • WA: DA
Ireland
  • Ireland: Indigenous
United Kingdom
  • U.K.: Indigenous
United States
  • N/A: Indigenous
China
  • China: Indigenous
Papua New Guinea
  • PNG: Indigenous
Fungi / Mould Type
Polypore Bracket
Polypore Bracket
Polypore Bracket Polypore Bracket
Parasitic , Arboreal , Saprophytic
Parasitic,
Arboreal,
Saprophytic
Climate Range
Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Tropical-Sub, Tropical
Temperate Cool,
Temperate Warm,
Tropical-Sub,
Tropical
Aspect Range
Dappled Shade, Light Shade, Medium Shade
Dappled Shade,
Light Shade,
Medium Shade
Habitat Range
Open Woodlands, Sclerophyll Forest - Wet
Open Woodlands,
Sclerophyll Forest - Wet
Habitat Zone
Arboreal, Cliffs, Gullies, Hill Sides, Moist areas, Moist Valley Slopes, Scattered, Understory
Arboreal,
Cliffs,
Gullies,
Hill Sides,
Moist areas,
Moist Valley Slopes,
Scattered,
Understory
Mature Height
5-10mm, 10-15mm, 15-20mm, 20-25mm, 25-30mm, 30-35mm, 35-40mm, 40-45mm, 45-50mm, 50-75mm, 75-100mm
5-10mm,
10-15mm,
15-20mm,
20-25mm,
25-30mm,
30-35mm,
35-40mm,
40-45mm,
45-50mm,
50-75mm,
75-100mm
Mature Width
30-35mm, 35-40mm, 40-45mm, 45-50mm, 50-75mm, 75-100mm, 100-125mm, 125-150mm, 150-175mm, 175-200mm, 200-250mm, 250-300mm
30-35mm,
35-40mm,
40-45mm,
45-50mm,
50-75mm,
75-100mm,
100-125mm,
125-150mm,
150-175mm,
175-200mm,
200-250mm,
250-300mm
Growth Rate
Moderate
Moderate
Life Span
2-5yrs, 5-15yrs, 15-30yrs
2-5yrs,
5-15yrs,
15-30yrs
Fungi / Mould Aroma
Earthy-Slight
Earthy-Slight
Pileus (Cap) Properties
Colour (Upper)
Brown, Red-brown
Brown,
Red-brown
Colour (Lower)
Cream, White
Cream,
White
Shape
Applanate
Applanate
Applanate Applanate
Lamellae (Gill) Properties
Colour
Cream, White
Cream,
White
Spore Properties
Season of Fruiting
Summer Late, Autumn Early
Summer Late,
Autumn Early
Soil Properties
Type
Hummus Rich, Organic Matter
Hummus Rich,
Organic Matter
pH Range
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral
Condition
Damp
Damp
Moist
Moist
Damp Damp,
Moist Moist
Fertile , Well Drained
Fertile,
Well Drained
Salinity
None
None
None None
Waterlogging Class
W0 – Low tolerance
W0 – Low tolerance
Watering Requirements
WR3, WR4
WR3,
WR4
Other Properties / Uses
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Frost Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Smog Tolerant
Poor
Poor
Edible(s)
Cap
Cap
Humidity Requirements
Medium, High
Medium,
High
Wind Tolerance
Light Winds
Light Winds

General Notes

Usually found on dead trees but can be on live trees with dead wood within the tree. Considered to be fairly destructive tree parasites in forestry, producing a white rot of the tree heartwood. Found across the world in most countries. Called the Artist's Bracket as with a fine pointed object a brown stain occurs on the surface allowing pictures to be drawn. As many as 4.65 billion spores can be dispersed from a 100mm x 100mm section of the fruiting body.

G. australe is very similar in appearance and can be confused without a microscopic view.