How to identify Laccate Bracket

To correctly identify Laccate Bracket (Ganoderma sessile), check each of these features in order. Misidentification is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning, so cross-reference multiple sources.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Cap

   Shape, color, surface texture, and diameter.

   The cap (pileus) ranges from 5-30 cm (2-12 inches) across and 2-8 cm (0.8-3.1 inches) thick. Its color is highly variable, often starting yellowish-white or pale brown, maturing to reddish-brown, purplish-brown, or almost black, especially towards the base. The margin is typically paler, often white or yellowish, and can be wavy or lobed. The surface is smooth, shiny, and appears as if varnished, often with concentric growth zones.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   Ganoderma sessile is a polypore, meaning it has pores instead of gills. The pore surface is white to cream-colored when young, bruising brown when handled. The pores are very small, 4-6 per millimeter, and circular. The tubes are stratified in older specimens, meaning new layers of tubes grow on top of old ones.

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   Often sessile (lacking a stem) or with a very short, rudimentary, lateral stipe that is also laccate and concolorous with the cap.

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   The flesh is tough, corky to woody, and fibrous. It is typically whitish to pale brown, darkening with age. It does not change color significantly when bruised or cut.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   The fruiting body is typically fan-shaped, kidney-shaped, or semicircular, often appearing as a shelf-like projection from the host tree. It can be sessile (directly attached) or have a very short, stout stipe. The surface is distinctly laccate (varnished) and shiny.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   Saprobic and parasitic on dead or living hardwoods, particularly oak, maple, elm, and cherry. It causes a white rot. Found growing on stumps, logs, and the bases of living trees.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

Laccate (varnished), shiny, smooth, often concentrically zoned.

Growth Form

Sessile or with a very short, stout lateral stipe, typically shelf-like or fan-shaped.

Spore Print

Rusty brown.

Body color

Cap reddish-brown to purplish-black, margin often paler (white to yellowish). Pore surface white to cream, bruising brown.

Odor

Mild, mushroomy.

Flesh bruises

Does not bruise significantly; pore surface bruises brown.

Height

Not applicable for height; grows as a bracket.

Cap Diameter

5-30 cm (2-12 inches) across.

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: Not applicable (polypore, not gilled).
• Stem shape: Absent or very short and stout, lateral.
• Stem surface: Laccate, concolorous with the cap (if present).
• Ring: Absent.
• Stem cross-section: Not applicable (if present, solid and woody).

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