a pair of Shelf fungi growing on a tree in Alaska, usa

Shelf Funghi

Alaska, USA

Shelf fungi, bracket fungi or “tree ears” belong to the Polypore Family (Polyporaceae) and Phylum Basidiomycota. These fungi attack the wood of living trees creating “shelves” or “brackets”. Shelf fungus tends to destroy only the weak and rotting trees as strong healthy trees respond to the fungus with a natural chemical defense. Hence, the fungi consume only the dead and dying wood and are a part of the healthy life cycle.

The upper part of the bracket or shelf shows striations or “rings” which indicates the successive years of growth. The lower surface is lined with minute pores through which the spores are released into the air, and hence the name “polypores”. These pores and the absence or short stems makes them different from many fungi.

Shelf fungi have a wood-like, almost leathery texture, and can be rock hard. They are sometimes carved into works of art and even jewelry. Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.

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