Artist's Conch; Artist's Bracket; Artist's Fungus
Shown is a typical example of the species, saprobic on a fallen maple log, on which it causes a white rot by breaking down lignin and cellulose in the substrate. The species is famous for the unique sensitivity of the pore surface to the slightest touch, causing an instant darkening of the pure white surface. This persistent dark brown reaction makes it uniquely suited for an artist's rendering of any scene desired. The fungus is a saprobe on stumps and fallen logs but sometimes is parasitic on living trees. A sessile species, it is attached broadly at the base, never with a stalk. It is a perennial fungus that persists and grows a new pore layer with each passing year. Old specimens can reach huge size, up to a meter across, but specimens of 30 to 75 cm across are common. Older specimens are usually dusted with a layer of brownish spores. A large specimen can release trillions of spores and sometimes in excess of a billion an hour. The caps are roughened and feature ridges and concentric rings. The surface color is a dull gray brown to cinnamon brown or sometimes a darker brown. The surface can be slightly indented with pressure, but the fungus is woody and resists breaking. The context is brown. The pore surface is poroid, with pore density of 4-5 per millimeter, making them nearly invisible to the naked eye. Artist conch is inedible but has been used to prepare teas with possibly medicinal properties.