This arboreal fungus from the Gonoderma family is one of the largest parasites that can be found on trees. Its size can reach up to 70 cm in diameter.
Of course, the mushroom is not round, but rather fan-shaped, shell-shaped, so its radius is counted on the longest side. Nevertheless, it is an impressive phenomenon in the world of arboreal fungi.
The fungus does not have a stem or has a residual amount of it and is attached to the ground sideways, usually to a tree. The shape is semicircular, kidney-shaped, shell-shaped.
The surface is not flat, it has furrows and the color of the young fruit body is yellowish, slightly brown, reminiscent of shiny resin. Also in young fruiting bodies, the edge of the cap is thick, swollen white.
Old, ripe mushrooms have a brick-red, brown or chestnut cap surface, covered with a coating that makes them dull. The edge of the cap becomes sharp, clear.
The flesh of the mushroom is spongy, soft, becomes corky with age. It has a light cream color that turns brown over time.
The tubes are white, cream in young mushrooms, then brown, then brown. They can reach a length of 2 cm. The pores are circular in shape and quite small.
The fungus usually grows on living trees, mainly deciduous trees. Most fruiting bodies can be found on oaks, but they do occur on beeches and other deciduous trees. Their favorite place is the base of the trunk. They sometimes feed on dead trees and are a parasite
The mushroom is not poisonous, nor does it have any medicinal properties, and is considered inedible.
