Beeswax Bracket Fungus

Scientific name: Ganoderma Pfeifferi

Common name: Beeswax Bracket

Type of decay: White Rot

Family: Ganodermataceae

Description

A perennial bracket found around the roots and on the stem of broadleaved trees. The fruiting body has a knobbly woody upper surface with a varnished coating on top. This coating that smoulders and melts when lit. There is a broad cream-white margin leading to a flat creamy yellow underside. When mature the underside becomes brown with yellowish patches.

Effects of fungus on tree:

Wood decayed by Ganoderma pfeifferi has obvious dark, red-brown regions when cut. Bleached zones appear in the timber in the early stages of decay as a result of de-lignified wood. As the white rot takes hold the wood becomes increasingly soft however the tensile strength of the tree remains reasonably strong until a late stage. Eventually the wood will break down into a soft spongy texture. At this stage the tree may be subject to failure.

Hosts: Beech and other broadleaf trees

Fig.1 & Fig.2 – Mature brackets on Beech