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Fomitiporia robusta (formerly Phellinus robustus)
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.
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_...
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