Thick Maze-Oak Polypore / Hrastova labirintnica

Description:

The sessile, fan-shaped fruiting bodies are typically 3 - 20 cm in diameter and up to 8 cm thick (exactly like my findings). They are found singly or in tiered groups, usually on rotting oak while this were found on a lying trunk. The upper surface of the cap may be various shades of brown, and is sometimes zonate. The pore surface, white to tan in color, is initially porous, but as the fruit body matures, some of the pore walls break down, forming slits with blunt partitions. This results in the characteristic maze-like (daedaloid or labyrinthinine/labyrinthiform) appearance.

Habitat:

The specific epithet (quercina) refers to the oak genus Quercus, upon which it frequently grows, causing a brown rot. It has also been found on the tree species Fagus grandifola, Fraxina americana, Juglans nigra, and Ulmus americana. It has been reported from nearly all European countries, following the pattern of oak distribution. It has also been reported in Northern Africa (Tunisia), Asia from Caucasus to India, and also Australia.

Notes:

Other names: oak mazegill or maze-gill fungus, Though inedible due to its cork-like texture, it can be used as a natural comb for brushing down horses with tender skin and has been the subject of chemical research because quercinol isolated from it has shown an anti-inflammatory activity.