Alder bracket
Alder, birch.
Gorse.
Growing on the main stem of the host tree and along larger branches – sometimes around wounds or on dead tree parts. Persists on fallen trees / tree parts. Abundant in alder carrs (riparian).
Annual. Usually abundant. Brackets individually small- to medium-sized. Sometimes resupinate. Top surface rimmed white; else a golden orange-brown (photo a). A little hairy. Pore layer golden yellow-white and bruising orange-brown. Blackens-off in autumn. Generally remains attached to the host tree for many years in this state by gradually fragmenting / weathering.
Daldinia concentrica (old and fragmented), Inonotus cuticularis (senescent), Inonotus hispidus (senescent).
No research has been done on its pathogenicity. Usually signifies local dysfunction or systemic physiological decline. May be latently present (endophytic), due to its ability to colonise vast areas on declining and dead trees. Potential to therefore be a weak parasite. Attributed to stem fracture on hosts, periodically – notably for exposed trees.