Species details
Beeswax bracket
Ganoderma pfeifferi
Inedible
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.
How to separate similar species
Ganoderma resinaceum is similar but shows different colour and structural features. Ganoderma species can be difficult.
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