Species details

Pine bracket

Porodaedalea pini

Inedible
Pine bracket – Porodaedalea pini

Photo: Selso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · License

Description

A hard perennial shelf-like polypore of conifers, especially pines, with irregular to maze-like pores.

Identification features

Young fruitbodies may initially be flattened against the trunk, later developing thick shelf- to hoof-shaped caps. The surface is reddish-brown to grey- or black-brown, coarse and concentrically zoned. Pores are very small, elongated, irregular to maze-like.

Identification checklist

Check for a hard brown shelf-like fruitbody on pine or another conifer and the characteristic irregular to maze-like pores.

Detailed features

Hymenophore
Pores are very small, elongated, irregular to maze-like.

Habitat

Parasitises living conifers, especially pines, and can also grow saprobically on dead conifer wood. Perennial fruitbodies may be seen year-round.

Fruiting period

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

Ecology

Trophic mode
Parasitic
Host trees
Pine (Pinus)
Substrate
Dead wood
Notes
Parasitises living conifers, especially pines, and can also grow saprobically on dead conifer wood. Perennial fruitbodies may be seen year-round.

How to separate similar species

It can resemble other dark perennial polypores on conifers. Host tree and maze-like pore structure are important clues.

Similar species

Extended-description sources