Ganoderma pfeifferi Bres.

A large bracket at the base of a failed beech at Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire.
A mature bracket with many growth increments 2.5m up a beech pollard at Epping Forest, Essex
Side profile of a mature bracket on beech in the New Forest, Hampshire
A senescent bracket at the base of a dead beech near Windsor, Surrey
The ‘rosing’ effect attributed to decay by this fungus on beech at Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire

A large bracket at the base of a failed beech at Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire.
A mature bracket with many growth increments 2.5m up a beech pollard at Epping Forest, Essex
Side profile of a mature bracket on beech in the New Forest, Hampshire
A senescent bracket at the base of a dead beech near Windsor, Surrey
The ‘rosing’ effect attributed to decay by this fungus on beech at Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire
A young fruit body beneath a senescent tier on beech at Hampstead Heath, UK.
The brown spore released from teleomorphic fruit bodies.
A mature bracket on beech at Epping Forest, UK.
The underside of a mature bracket on beech at Epping Forest, UK.
An archetypal morphology of this species on beech in the New Forest, UK.

Common name

Bees wax bracket.

Often found on

Beech.

Sometimes found on

Oak.

Location

Growing at and above the butt of the tree – up to heights of 2-3m on very large trees and lapsed pollards.

Description

Perennial. Tough and woody. Upper surface a dull purplish-brown. When scratched it damages like bees wax. Pore surface white. Flesh brown. Spore brown. Can become very large.

Confused with

Ganoderma australe (far more widespread and abundant and lacking the bees wax quality when scratched); Ganoderma resinaceum (Annual).

Significance

Parasitic. Attributed to a selective white rot. Anecdotal evidence suggests decay develops in a rose-like pattern (photo e). Where targets exist, investigations into hollowness should be considered.