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Horsehoof Fungus

Fomitiporia robusta (formerly Phellinus robustus)

Description:

Who said fungus can't be fun, particularly when it looks like Mickey Mouse?! This large bracket is called a 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. This solitary specimen was found on a fallen tree trunk, most likely Queensland Red Cedar (Toona ciliata). This woody fungi species is slow growing, so the largest bracket must be a good age to have reached that size. The smaller brackets (Mickey's ears) are growing horizontally to the tree trunk, so have grown after the tree fell.

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:

Here's another spotting I found close by - a larger specimen that had been dislodged from its tree. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/951...

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5 Comments

Neil Ross
Neil Ross 8 years ago

Thanks, Jae. And Sukanya, it was unintended wit.

SukanyaDatta
SukanyaDatta 8 years ago

Very apt for a Horse (hoof) spotting...the word Trifecta...I had to look it up :)
And why not...Spooky is fun.

Jae
Jae 8 years ago

oh boy! Great spotting, Neil.

Neil Ross
Neil Ross 8 years ago

I love it. What's next? Shall we go for the trifecta? I have no idea what me next spotting will be, so if we do 3 for 3, then that will be spooky.

SukanyaDatta
SukanyaDatta 8 years ago

This coincidence business is getting spooky...first the Rhinoceros beetle, now the Horsehoof fungus :) https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/14...
The two hemispheres are a lot more similar than I thought.

Neil Ross
Spotted by
Neil Ross

Queensland, Australia

Spotted on Oct 17, 2014
Submitted on May 6, 2015

Related Spottings

Woody Layered Bracket Fungus Horsehoof Fungus Horsehoof Fungus Horsehoof Fungus (dislodged)

Nearby Spottings

Goanna (Lace Monitor) Strangler Fig (aka Watkin's Fig) Strangler Fig (vs. Queensland Red Cedar) Cramp Ball Fungus
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