Beefsteak Fungus

Description:

A slightly squashed bracket with a short eccentric stipe. The upper surface looked looked like well-worn leather but felt rubbery to touch. The thick fleshy bracket had an underside of closely packed golden tubes (pic #3). These were being eaten by a multitude of little Springtails. The edges of the bracket was damaged.

Habitat:

Spotted on a live Eucalyptus tree in nature reserve

Notes:

This is an old bracket but still attractive. The younger brackets are said to have a pink pore tubes. The under surface is said to turn yellow and a dark brown with age. This fungus is also called "Ox Tongue" and is edible. For shots of a younger brackets, you could refer to http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/213... http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/244...