The UK is home to 40 different species of Bracket fungi. Unlike many fungi, Bracket fungi have pores which release their reproductive spores rather than gills. Hence their Greek name Polypore fungi (Poly meaning many and poros meaning pores). Bracket fungi are a diverse group with many different forms and diverse ecology. Bracket fungi can be saprotrophic, meaning they break down dead wood, parasitic, feeding from live wood, or both! Some fungi are either parasitic or saprotrophic depending on where their spores germinate making them incredibly adaptable. Saprotrophic fungi are essential for woodland ecosystems. They are the most efficient decomposers, breaking down hard wood into usable nutrients for other organisms. Bracket fungi also provide food sources for many invertebrates and even vertebrates species.

The Turkey Tail fungus is a particularly stunning example of a Bracket fungus. The Turkey Tail has vividly coloured rings but is most impressive after a rainy day. They are saprotrophic feeding on decaying Beech or Oaks.

The Oak Polypore is also known as the Weeping Conk and Warted Oak Polypore and belongs to a group called butt rot fungi. It’s not just the name of this fungus which is unappealing, the Oak Polypore also exudes an amber-coloured liquid also called milk or latex in a process known as guttation. The guttation in the Weeping Conk butt rot fungus results in a ‘sweaty’ or ‘weeping’ appearance. If that sentence didn’t completely put you off, you can find this fungus growing on dead Oak, Beech, Birch or Alder trees. It can sometimes be located with its ‘very unpleasant’ smell as it ages.