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Artist's Bracket

Ganoderma

The Artist's Bracket is a special fungus that has a shiny, colorful surface. It grows on trees and can be used to create art!

Habitat: Wooded areas and on decaying trees

Appearance

The Artist's Bracket has a hard, shelf-like body, often multi-layered, with a dull brownish-gray top. Its distinguishing feature is a smooth, creamy white underside that instantly bruises dark brown when scratched, perfect for drawing.

KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderPolyporalesFamilyPolyporaceaeGenusGanoderma
Artist's Bracket
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Artist's Bracket

Category

Fungi

Rarity

Rare

Danger

1/5

Snaps

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Interesting facts

It gets its name because people use its soft underside to draw pictures!

Its scientific name, Ganoderma, means "shiny skin" in Greek.

Sometimes, many brackets grow on top of each other, making a fungal "staircase."

This tough fungus can live for over 20 years on a single tree.

Special abilities

Ability

Nature's Canvas

Artist's Bracket has a unique soft underside that instantly changes color when pressed, helping artists create drawings on its surface.

Ability

Wood Recycler

Artist's Bracket can break down dead trees and stumps, returning valuable nutrients to the soil that helps new plants grow.

Ability

Perennial Power

Artist's Bracket has a tough, woody body that allows it to survive for many years, growing larger each season.

Measurements & details

Height
2-10 cm
Edibility
inedible
Cap Diameter
10-70 cm
Growth Substrate
wood
Season
Year-round
Spore Color
Brown

Ecological connections

depends on

White Oak

Quercus alba

Decomposes dead wood from oak trees.

depends on

Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum

Feeds on nutrients from fallen maple trees.

eats

Flat Bark Beetle

Cicones pictus

Beetle larvae sometimes feed on the fungus.

shelters

Red Wood Ant

Formica rufa

Ants can make nests in old, hollowed brackets.

Traits

Also known as

Artist's ConkReishi Mushroom

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Artist's Bracket?

2-10 cm

Is Artist's Bracket edible?

inedible

How big is Artist's Bracket?

10-70 cm

Where is Artist's Bracket usually found?

Wooded areas and on decaying trees

What does Artist's Bracket grow on?

wood

When is Artist's Bracket in season?

Year-round

What color are Artist's Bracket spores?

Brown

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