Class Agaricomycetes Scientific name Ganoderma brownii | Division Basidiomycota Genus Ganoderma Rank Species | |
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Similar Ganoderma meredithiae, Ganoderma curtisii, Ganoderma zonatum, Ganoderma megaloma, Jahnoporus | ||
Ganoderma brownii is a species of polypore fungus in the Ganodermataceae family. It is a plant pathogen and occasional saprotroph similar in appearance to Ganoderma applanatum. This species is restricted geographically to the Pacific Northwest, primarily observed in California. In the San Francisco Bay Area, it is very common on Umbellularia californica.
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Taxonomy
This fungus is a member of the G. applanatum group.
Description
It is a perennial, sessile, concentrically zonate polypore that is 5–65 cm (2.0–25.6 in) in length that can be a number of dull tones ranging from brown to gray. It parasitizes both conifers and hardwoods, with a preference for the latter. Its pore surface is white but easily turns shades of brown upon damage. According to Michael Kuo, it has larger spores than G. applanatum, measuring 9–12 by 7–9 μm.
Uses
The aforementioned pore bruising has led to its common name, "artist's conk."