Species details
Plum firebracket
Phellinus pomaceus
Inedible
Photo: Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A perennial hard brown polypore, especially characteristic of plum and other fruit trees, where it causes white rot.
Identification features
Fruitbody about 3–10 cm or larger, cushion- to hoof-shaped and very hard. Surface ochre to cinnamon-brown, with very fine brownish pores below.
Identification checklist
Check for a very hard hoof-shaped fruitbody on a fruit tree, cinnamon-brown surface and fine brownish pores.
Detailed features
- Hymenophore
- Surface ochre to cinnamon-brown, with very fine brownish pores below.
Habitat
Grows year-round on living and dead fruit trees, especially plum, cherry, apricot, apple and pear.
Fruiting period
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Ecology
- Host trees
- Apple (Malus), Pear (Pyrus)
- Notes
- Grows year-round on living and dead fruit trees, especially plum, cherry, apricot, apple and pear.
How to separate similar species
Phellinus igniarius is similar but more typical on willow. Host tree is an important clue in this group.