Horsehoof Fungus

Description:

A bracket polypore and club fungi species which occurs naturally in Queensland. I was drawn to this particular specimen, not only because it's a good representative of the species, but also because of its growing location - the resinous section of a Red Gum (Angophora leiocarpa). This species of fungi flourishes in the area, and I have never seen more specimens than those around Enoggera Reservoir. Horsehoof Fungus is basidiomata perennial, solitary, firm and woody, and attached by a broad lateral base. Frequently creviced when old, and its base is a beautiful cinnamon brown. One of my favourite fungi species.

Habitat:

Found along the Reservoir Track in the Brisbane Forest Park at Enoggera Reservoir. Thick native bushland vegetation. Red, grey, and spotted gums, as wells as ironbarks and various wattle species, are the most common large trees in the area.

Notes:

I have noticed there are three tree species (in this area) that these fungi seem to prefer, and all are Australian natives - Red Gum (Angophora leiocarpa), Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophloia), and Broad-leaved Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus fibrosa). Perhaps this is because these trees are all heavily-resinous species? There seems to be a connection here. I have never seen this species on a dead tree either, whereas a similar species (Phellinus badius) is found frequently on dead wattle trees. In the Bunya Mountains (about 3hrs west of Brisbane), the preferred tree species for Horsehoof Fungus seems to be Queensland Red Cedar (Toona ciliata), and this is not a resin-producing tree.