As hinted by its name, aspen bracket only grows on live aspen trees, causing trunk rot. Despite its negative reputation with aspen trees, this mushroom serves as nesting sites for some birds. The fruiting bodies of aspen bracket add on a new layer each growing season and can persist for several years.
Cap Diameter:
5 - 20 cm
Odor:
Faint, typical fungal fragrance.
In This Article
Attributes
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Aspen bracket
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Attributes of Aspen bracket
Cap Diameter
5 - 20 cm
Cap
Cap 5 - 20 cm across; convex or fan-shaped, hoof-shaped; brown or blackish; finely hairy to bald, radially cracked
Cap Shape
Convex
Cap Surfaces
Fibrillose-scaly
Stem
Absent
Flesh
Tough, woody; reddish brown
Spore Print Color
White to cream-colored
Odor
Faint, typical fungal fragrance.
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Solitary, Gregarious
Nutrient Gathering
Parasitic
Substrate
Wood of Living Trees
You can find Aspen bracket by these plants:
Quaking aspen, Big-tooth aspen, European aspen, Populus
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland
Species Status
Widely distributed in North America where aspens occur
The aspen bracket can be found in woods and wooded areas where the fungus's host tree is present. As its name implies, the aspen bracket is typically found growing on the trunk of various aspen species.
