Horsehoof Fungus

Description:

A bracket polypore and club fungi species, "horsehoof fungus" is very appropriately named. It belongs to the family Hymenochaetaceae, and occurs naturally in Queensland. This is a large and beautiful specimen, and was left untouched by recent bushfires that ravaged this national park. It's a firm and woody species, and attached to the tree by a broad lateral base. Frequently 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.

Habitat:

Spotted along the Racecourse Creek Track in Girraween National Park, southeast Queensland. Dry sclerophyll forest with sandy granite soils. This specimen was growing on Eucalyptus blakelyi - Blakely's red gum. There appears to be a very strong connection between the various red gum eucalypt species and Fomitiporia robusta. If you find one, you're bound to find the other. Here's some park info - http://www.rymich.com/girraween/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girraween_...