Species details
Willow bracket
Phellinus igniarius
Inedible
Photo: Ilkka Kaita-aho · CC0 · Photo source · License
Description
A perennial hard hoof-shaped polypore on willow, with brown to grey-black surface and tobacco-brown interior.
Identification features
Fruitbody 5–20 cm or larger, very thick, hoof-shaped and woody. Surface brown to almost black, pores very fine, interior uniformly rusty to tobacco-brown.
Identification checklist
Check the hard hoof shape, growth mainly on willow and tobacco-brown interior with layered tubes.
Detailed features
- Hymenophore
- Surface brown to almost black, pores very fine, interior uniformly rusty to tobacco-brown.
Habitat
Grows mainly on living and dead willow in wet habitats; fruitbodies are perennial and present year-round.
Fruiting period
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Ecology
- Host trees
- Willow (Salix)
- Soil
- Moist
- Notes
- Grows mainly on living and dead willow in wet habitats; fruitbodies are perennial and present year-round.
How to separate similar species
Fomes fomentarius usually has a paler grey surface and different internal structure; Phellinus species can be difficult.
Similar species
- Tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius)
- Phellinus species
- Fomitopsis species