Shelf-like to hoof-like & usually on wood

The fruitbodies of the fungi in this group grow from wood, but sometimes that wood may be buried. They range from fairly thin, shelf-like or bracket-like growths (with horizontal extent much greater than vertical thickness) to those that are very chunky (with vertical thickness equal to, or even greater than, horizontal extent).

In some species with shelf-like fruitbodies the shelves are wavy, rather than absolutely flat.

As well as the wholly shelf-like fruitbodies there are those that are flat sheet+shelf. These start as a flat growth on a downward facing surface (e.g. the lower side of a leaning trunk or of a fallen branch lying on the ground). After a while the upper edge of this sheet-like growth turns out from the wood to form a horizontal shelf. Technically such a composite growth form is described as effused-reflexed (effused: the sheet-like bit; reflexed: the shelf). In some species the shelf constitutes a significant proportion of the fruitbody and such species are included here.

There are other species that either remain flat on wood or where the margins of the mature fruitbody occasionally turn away from the wood, but very little and only to form a slight horizontal lip, with almost all of the mature fruitbody still the flat area. Look for those in Other fungi on wood.

Sometimes, understandably, you will be unsure whether you have a ‘shelf ‘or a ‘lip’. After all, a lip may be only an immature stage in the formation of a shelf. In a simple guide such as this, it is impossible to give a definitive answer for each case. The only possible advice is to look in each category and see if other features suggests a species or genus for your sighting.

Warnings

Some species which normally produce shelf-like to hoof-like fruitbodies can show considerable plasticity in fruitbody form, depending on where the fruitbody develops. For example, Pycnoporus coccineus (see the pored/maze-like sub-group) almost always produces shelf-like fruitbodies but you may find no more than a thick crust (seen on the underside of a ceiling) or an inverted, shallow cone (seen on the top side of a fallen branch). In such cases you would, quite understandably, look for a match to your sighting in some other category.

Featured sightings

Phaeotrametes decipiens (A Polypore) at Conder, ACT - 7 Jan 2024 by MichaelBedingfield

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) at Nicholls, ACT - 15 Sep 2024 by Hejor1

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) at Fadden, ACT - 7 Aug 2024 by Mike

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) at QPRC LGA - 16 Jun 2024 by LisaH

Podoscypha petalodes at Paddys River, ACT - 17 May 2022 by TimL

Phaeotrametes decipiens (A Polypore) at Majura, ACT - 8 Apr 2020 by jb2602

Laetiporus portentosus (White Punk) at Bawley Point, NSW - 17 Aug 2019 by PaulyB

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) at Brogo, NSW - 14 Jun 2016 by CCPK

Latest sightings

zz Polypore (shelf/hoof-like) at Shark Creek, NSW by Topwood

Phellinus sp. (non-resupinate) (A polypore) at Bungonia, NSW by KorinneM

Trametes coccinea (Scarlet Bracket) at Gundaroo, NSW by ConBoekel

Laetiporus portentosus (White Punk) at Manton, NSW by SandraH

Trametes sp. at Green Cape, NSW by Hejor1

Polypore sp. at Green Cape, NSW by Hejor1

Trametes coccinea (Scarlet Bracket) at Green Cape, NSW by Hejor1

Phellinus sp. at Green Cape, NSW by Hejor1

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) at Uriarra Village, ACT by KenT

Xylobolus illudens (Purplish Stereum) at Uriarra Village, ACT by KenT

Stereum hirsutum (Hairy Curtain Crust) at Uriarra Village, ACT by KenT

Trametes versicolor at Uriarra Village, ACT by KenT

Piptoporus australiensis (Curry Punk) at Russell, ACT by Hejor1

Trametes sp. at Orangeville, NSW by elisebird

Rhodofomitopsis lilacinogilva complex (Lilac Shelf Fungus) at Kangaroo Valley, NSW by lbradley

Trametes coccinea (Scarlet Bracket) at Pebbly Beach, NSW by jeremyahagan

Phellinus sp. (non-resupinate) (A polypore) at Bungonia, NSW by AlisonMilton

Rhodofomitopsis lilacinogilva complex (Lilac Shelf Fungus) at Rocky Hall, NSW by JTran

Trametes sp. at Rocky Hall, NSW by JTran

Stereum ostrea (Golden Curtain Crust/Sunset Fungus) at Jamberoo, NSW by nancyp

Stereum ostrea (Golden Curtain Crust/Sunset Fungus) at Pipeclay, NSW by MVM

Trametes coccinea (Scarlet Bracket) at Pipeclay, NSW by MVM

Laetiporus sulphureus at Orangeville, NSW by belleandjason3113

Trametes (old Pycnoporus sp.) (Scarlet Bracket) at Dunbogan, NSW by Nette

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Discussion

Heino1 wrote:

Yesterday

Possibly a species of Inonotus (or one of its relatives).

zz Polypore (shelf/hoof-like)

KenT wrote:

11 Dec 2024

I suspect Cerrena is a possibility. I looked at Ryvarden (1991) Genera of Polypores, Synopsis Fungorum 5 where he accepted Cerrena as a monotypic boreal genus (p112). I looked at Breitenbach and Kranzlin (1986) Fungi of Switzerland Vol 2 where the images there for Cerrena unicolor and for Antrodiella hoehnelii (p279) do show some resemblance to the species I photographed. In this case I suspect the literature I've been looking at is now a bit old. After initial a look on the computer I'd made an assumption that the fruit body was partially deformed as underneath it appeared to show some damage from invertebrate feeding and evidence of a possible pathogen in the green/blue discolouration that can be seen in the third image. I will have to see if I can find it again next year.

Cerrena zonata

JTran wrote:

10 Dec 2024

The pores seem to be closer to something like Cerrena zonata. While there's also quite a lot of fruit body variation for that species, comparing these photos with iNaturalist I think the colour, texture and margin on the upper surface are far more consistent with C. zonata than a Trametes.

Cerrena zonata

Heino1 wrote:

6 Dec 2024

Hmm...an unusual versicolor if it is that species.

Cerrena zonata

Heino1 wrote:

5 Dec 2024

In calling this Trametes sp. I have assumed that the undersides of the whiteish caps have numerous tiny pores.The green colour is algal growth. In those species of Trametes with hairy caps algal propagules are easily caught in the hairs and since the hairs can also trap moisture you get a very algal-friendly microhabitat. Also in the photo is then orange Trametes coccinea.

Trametes sp.