Pored or somewhat maze-like on underside [bracket polypores]

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In most species of this sub-group, the underside of the fruitbody has pores. In most cases the pores are small (two or more per millimetre) and of uniform size and appearance. However, in some species the pores are larger or of irregular shapes and sizes or incomplete and so giving a maze-like appearance. Sometimes you may see a mix of pored and maze-like regions in the one fruitbody.

In the following hints you see examples of useful identification features and a few of the more commonly seen genera in which at least some species (not necessarily all) show those features.

Hints

Red, fleshy texture: Fistulina.

Orange, leathery to corky texture: Piptoporus, Pycnoporus, Rigidoporus.

Pinkish to pinkish-brown, texture of firm rubber: Rhodofomitopsis.

Corky texture; creamy to yellow- brown: Perenniporia.

Upper surface furry & orange-brown to red-brown, pores white: Postia.

Large, creamy to pale brown, on live trees: Laetiporus.

On the wood of native or introduced conifers: Gloeophyllum.

Pores large, several millimetres in diameter: Hexagonia.

Underside maze-like or a mixture of pores & irregular gills: Cerrena, Gloeophyllum.

Hard & woody, black upper surface, pores brown to bronze: Phellinus.

Hard & woody, brown upper surface, pores white & marking brown: Ganoderma.

Hard & woody, brown upper surface, pores white & not marking brown: Fomes.

Roughly semi-circular, leathery, concentrically banded upper surface; white pores: Trametes.

Note: Trametes is a very common genus and is the one (with these features)

that you are most likely to see.

Pored or somewhat maze-like on underside [bracket polypores]

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Discussion

Jennybach wrote:

5 Jul 2025

An organism with a fascinating back story, thanks :)

Trametes coccinea

Pam wrote:

5 Jul 2025

Great information. Thanks Heino and Mike. Prickly Pear....well oops!!!

Trametes coccinea

Mike wrote:

4 Jul 2025

And some Australian history ... Cochineal is also made by South American scale insects, used by Aztecs and later by Spanish invaders. This insect was brought to Australia in 1788 to start a local industry that would destroy the Spanish monopoly of red dye for military uniforms (redcoats). The insects did not fare very well but their host plants did extremely well - prickly pear.

Trametes coccinea

Jennybach wrote:

4 Jul 2025

Fascinating. I am interested. I listen and look for root words in plant names that English shares as it helps me remember the scientific names. When I started in Landcare 2 years ago my convenor suggested I learn the scientific names as the common names are inexact and can be confusing. Very good advice I find. I’ll check it out. Thanks

Trametes coccinea

Heinol wrote:

4 Jul 2025

Coccinea and cochineal are both derived from the Latin word coccinus, meaning scarlet. That in turn is related to the Greek kokkos which had several meanings, one of which was ‘gall of kermes oak’. Kermes oak is native to the Mediterranean area and Kermes scale insects produce galls that were used to produce a crimson dye. For a long time the standard classical Greek dictionary for use by English-speaking students and scholars was that by Henry Liddell & Robert Scott and, if you’re keen, you can see the kokkos entry at - https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dko%2Fkkos. Wikipedia’s entry about kermes dye is here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kermes_(dye).

Trametes coccinea