Pycnoporus coccineus (Fr.) Bondartsev & Singer

Common name: None

Description: The fruiting bodies form small semi-circular brackets on the sides of branches and are commonly 710 cm wide. The brackets are brilliant vermilion-red to orange-red, although old brackets may slowly fade to orange or in some cases develop greenish tints when colonised by algae. The bracket surface is smooth and dry although it can become uneven and lumpy. The pores on the bracket undersurface are very small (usually there are at least 5 per square millimetre) and are vermilion-red. The pores tend to retain their colour as they are sheltered and even dull orange brackets retain brilliantly coloured pores. The bracket flesh is very thin, orange-red and quite tough. There is no stem; the brackets are attached directly to the substrate by one margin.

The spores measure 46 × 22.5 µm and are ellipsoidal, smooth and colourless. The spore print is white.

Substrate: Pycnoporus coccineus generally occurs gregariously on small branches and stumps in eucalypt forests. The fungus will often fruit on the same old stump year after year.

Distribution: Known from all mainland States and Tasmania.

Notes: In many earlier publications, Pycnoporus coccinea was known as Trametes cinnabarina. However, although the two fungi resemble each other, they are distinct species.