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
Arrangement
Solitary, Scattered, Colony Small
Solitary,
Scattered,
Colony Small
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
Texture
Ribbed
Ribbed
Ribbed Ribbed
Dry , Leathery , Woody
Dry,
Leathery,
Woody
Colour (Upper)
Brown, Red-brown
Brown,
Red-brown
Colour (Lower)
Cream, White
Cream,
White
Thickness
30-35mm, 35-40mm, 40-45mm, 45-50mm, 50-75mm, 75-100mm
30-35mm,
35-40mm,
40-45mm,
45-50mm,
50-75mm,
75-100mm
Width
100-125mm, 125-150mm, 150-175mm, 175-200mm, 200-250mm, 250-300mm
100-125mm,
125-150mm,
150-175mm,
175-200mm,
200-250mm,
250-300mm
Shape
Applanate
Applanate
Applanate Applanate
Margin
Entire
Entire
Entire Entire
Lamellae (Gill) Properties
Arrangement
Polypore
Polypore
Polypore Polypore
Colour
Cream, White
Cream,
White
Lamellae / Stipe Attachment
Strongly Decurrent
Strongly Decurrent
Strongly Decurrent Strongly Decurrent
Spore Properties
Colour
Brown
Brown
Texture
Pitted
Pitted
Size
65-70um
65-70um
Shape
Elliptical
Elliptical
Elliptical Elliptical
Number
Many
Many
Spore Dispersal
Wind
Wind
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
Medicinal Use(s)
Pileus (Cap) - processed
Pileus (Cap) - processed
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Fire Regeneration
None
None
Frost Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Smog Tolerant
Poor
Poor
Edible(s)
Cap
Cap
Indigenous Use(s)
Cap - eaten cooked, Cap - traditional medicine
Cap - eaten cooked,
Cap - traditional medicine
Humidity Requirements
Medium, High
Medium,
High
Vulnerability
LC - Least Concern
LC - Least Concern
Altitude Range
0-100m, 100-200m, 200-300m, 300-400m, 400-500m, 500-600m, 600-700m, 700-800m, 800-900m, 900-1,000m
0-100m,
100-200m,
200-300m,
300-400m,
400-500m,
500-600m,
600-700m,
700-800m,
800-900m,
900-1,000m
Wind Tolerance
Light Winds
Light Winds
Dormancy
Summer
Summer
Propagation
Fresh Spore

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.