Got a photo? Identify mushrooms instantly with the Mushby app
Open the appDescription
Buglossoporus quercinus, commonly known as the Oak Bracket, is a bracket fungus that grows on oak trees. It is characterized by its large, hoof-shaped fruiting body and a reddish-brown upper surface. The underside has pores instead of gills. It is inedible due to its tough texture.
How to Identify
- Cap
- Reddish-brown to dark brown, rough surface, often with cracks and ridges.
- Gills
- No gills; has pores on the underside.
- Stem
- Absent; the fruiting body attaches directly to the tree.
- Flesh
- Tough, fibrous, and brown.
- Fruiting body
- Large, hoof-shaped, and hard.
- Habitat
- Grows on oak trees, often on dead or decaying wood.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Rough, cracked.
- Growth Form: Bracket-like.
- Spore Print: White to pale yellow.
- Body color: Reddish-brown to dark brown.
- Odor: Mild, fungal.
- Flesh bruises: Does not bruise significantly.
- Height: Up to 30 cm.
- Cap Diameter: Up to 50 cm.
- Nutrient gathering: Saprobic.
Safe
SafeNot considered toxic, but inedible due to its tough texture.
Quick Check
- Odor: Mild, fungal odor.
- Fruiting: Perennial, can be found year-round.
- Substrate: Oak wood.
Where to Find
Europe
Common in oak forests throughout Europe.
North America
Found in regions with oak trees, particularly in the eastern United States.
Finding Tips
Look on Oak Trees
Search for the fungus on the trunks and branches of oak trees, especially those that are old or damaged.
Check Decaying Wood
Examine fallen oak logs and branches for the presence of the Oak Bracket.
Similar Species
Fomitopsis pinicola
a bracket fungus
Also known as: Red Belt Conk
Ganoderma applanatum
a bracket fungus
Also known as: Artist's Conk
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Polyporales
- Family
- Fomitopsidaceae
- Genus
- Buglossoporus
Storage Information
- Max Temperature: N/A
- Freezing duration: N/A
- Min Temperature: N/A
- Refrigeration: N/A
How to Clean
Not applicable as it is inedible.
Explore Oak Bracket
Identify mushrooms anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full database, and your personal collection.