Horsehoof Fungus (dislodged)

Description:

Fomitiporia robusta (formerly Phellinus robustus) most likely sp. I found this massive fungi which had been dislodged from a tree. It was found on the forest floor amongst leaf litter. A bracket polypore and club fungi species, I'm fairly certain this is Horsehoof fungus, and it occurs naturally in Queensland. Basidiomata perennial, solitary, firm and woody, attached by a broad lateral base. Creviced when old, at first cinnamon brown, darkening to black, margin entire, reddish brown. Pore surface plane, often creviced, with a sterile border 2–5 mm wide, reddish brown to dark brown. Here are two previous spottings found at different locations. Both are club fungi, and this spotting shares characteristics of both: (1) http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/332... (2) http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/241...

Habitat:

Moist and well-shaded area of subtropical rainforest on the Westcliff Track, Bunya Mountains National Park, southeast Queensland. Here's some park info - http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/bunya-...

Notes:

I didn't realise it at the time, but there was a large centipede and a small spider on the bracket (see last photo). My dear Mum was the hand model, and I reckon had she seen either of these she was had thrown it at me. I'm sure I would have been laughing as she freaked out. PS: I returned this fellow back to its original location, although I could have quite easily snuck it home.