About this fungus
Ochre Bracket is a fungus in the Polyporaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A thin, tough bracket growing in overlapping tiers on dead hardwood, with a softly hairy upper surface zoned in cream, ochre, orange and brown.
What to check
Confirm a true pore surface underneath, with small round cream to pale-ochre pores, and a felty zoned upper surface. The pores do not strongly stain. Colour and pore size overlap with Turkey Tail, so atypical specimens may need microscopy.
Lookalikes
Turkey Tail is often more strongly and variably coloured with finer pores, but the distinction is not absolute and spore measurements may be needed. Trametes gibbosa is thicker, less evenly zoned and often has elongated pores.
Habitat and range
Saprotrophic on dead fallen hardwood, especially beech, oak and birch, forming persistent tiers through much of the year in temperate regions.
Food safety
Inedible.
Photographs
Ireen Trummer / CC BY-SA 4.0