Fungus
Ganoderma sessile
Ganoderma sessileAlso known as Sessile Reishi, Sessile Bracket Fungus
Ganoderma sessile forms broad, lacquered shelf-like brackets that emerge directly from the root flares or lower trunks of broadleaf trees without a stalk. The glossy upper crust displays concentric bands of yellow, deep mahogany red, and white along the growing edge, fading to dull reddish-brown as spores mature. Acting as both a wound parasite and a wood recycler, it secretes powerful enzymes that break down structural lignin, contributing to white rot decay in living and dead hardwoods.
Bracket FungusWood DecayerPolypore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySaprotrophic and parasitic on deciduous hardwood trees
Predators
- Forked fungus beetle
- Fungus gnat larvae
- Slugs
ThreatsHabitat clearance and systematic removal of deadwood hosts
HabitatsDeciduous forests, mixed woodlands, suburban tree lawns, and urban parks
Life spanAnnual fruiting bodies; mycelium persists for decades
Classification
- OrderPolyporales
- FamilyPolyporaceae
- GenusGanoderma
- SpeciesGanoderma sessile
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Spore Observation: Look for thick coats of cocoa-brown spore dust blanketing nearby bark and ground.
- Habitat Inspection: Check the base of mature or dying hardwood trees, especially oaks and maples.
Same Genus no rights reserved · cc0
Same Genus (c) Ana Ka'ahanui, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ana Ka'ahanui · cc-by
Competitor Jerzy Opioła / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain Pro
Secret Garden
Ganoderma sessile is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
Unlock to track progress
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.