Flat polypore (Ganoderma applanatum)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Incertae sedis (undefined)
- Order: Polyporales
- Family: Ganodermataceae (Ganodermaceae)
- Genus: Ganoderma (Ganoderma)
- Species: Ganoderma applanatum (Polypore flat)
or
Ganoderma lipsiense
The cap of the flat tinder fungus reaches 40 centimeters in width, is flat on top with uneven beads or grooves, covered with a matte crust. Often found covered with a spore powder on top of a rusty brown color. The color of the cap ranges from greyish brown to rusty brown, there is an edge on the outside that is constantly growing, white or whitish in color.
Spores - the spread of spores around is very abundant, a spore powder of rusty brown color. They have a truncated ovoid shape. The part of the fruiting body of the fungus bearing a spore powder (hymenophore) is tubular, white or creamy white. With a slight pressure, it immediately becomes much darker, this sign gave the mushroom a special specific name "artist's mushroom". You can draw on this layer with a twig or stick.
Leg - mostly absent, sometimes extremely rarely comes across with a short side leg.
The pulp is firm, corky or cork-woody; if broken, it is felt fibrous inside. The color is brown, chocolate brown, chestnut and other shades of these colors. Old mushrooms acquire a spotty fading color.
The fruiting body of the fungus lives for many years, sessile. Sometimes they are located close to each other.
Distribution - grows everywhere on stumps and deadwood of deciduous trees, often located low. Destroyer of wood! Where the fungus grows, the process of decay of white or yellow-white wood occurs. Sometimes it destroys weakened deciduous trees (especially birch) and coniferous wood. It mainly grows from May to September. Widely distributed in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere.
Edible - the mushroom is not edible, its pulp is tough and does not have a pleasant taste.