Species details

Beeswax bracket

Ganoderma pfeifferi

Inedible
Beeswax bracket – Ganoderma pfeifferi

Photo: Genet · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo source · License

Description

A large perennial lacquered polypore in copper to reddish-brown tones, mainly on old beech; on the Slovenian Red List.

Identification features

Fruitbody can be 10–50 cm wide, semicircular, thick and strongly lacquered. Surface is copper to reddish-brown, dark and cracked when old; young margin is paler.

Identification checklist

Check the very large copper-brown lacquered fruitbody, cracked old crust and frequent association with beech.

Habitat

Grows mainly on old beech, also other trees, in woods and parks; perennial fruitbodies are present year-round.

Fruiting period

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Ecology

Host trees
Beech (Fagus)
Notes
Grows mainly on old beech, also other trees, in woods and parks; perennial fruitbodies are present year-round.

How to separate similar species

Ganoderma resinaceum is similar but shows different colour and structural features. Ganoderma species can be difficult.

Similar species

Conservation

Red list
V – vulnerable species
Notes
On the Slovenian Red List: V – vulnerable species.

Extended-description sources