Fauna
Fungus · GBIF taxon 5249253

Conifer Mazegill

Gloeophyllum sepiarium

Also known as Rusty Gilled Polypore, Yellow-Red Gill Bracket

Conifer mazegills are tough, bracket-forming fungi that play a vital role in forest ecosystems by breaking down cellulose in dead coniferous wood. Their upper surfaces feature striking concentric bands of rusty orange, yellow, and dark brown, while the underside reveals a complex maze of gill-like pores. Frequently found on fallen pine logs, building timbers, and fence posts, these resilient fruit bodies can dry out completely during dry spells and revive when rain returns.

Wood-DecayBracket FungusBrown Rot
Conifer Mazegill reference1 / 7
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Dead conifer wood
  • Cellulose
  • Hemicellulose
Predators
  • Fungus beetles
  • Fungus gnat larvae
  • Slugs
ThreatsRemoval of deadwood in managed forests
HabitatsConiferous forests, pine plantations, wooden fences, and outdoor timber structures
Life spanPerennial fruit bodies surviving multiple seasons
Classification
  1. OrderGloeophyllales
  2. FamilyGloeophyllaceae
  3. GenusGloeophyllum
  4. SpeciesGloeophyllum sepiarium
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many wild fungi have toxic look-alikes; never ingest wild mushrooms based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Inspect the Underside: Look beneath the shelf to observe the characteristic maze-like, blade-like pore structure.
  • Check the Substrate: Confirm whether the fungus is growing on coniferous timber or fallen pine logs.
  • Examine Color Zones: Look for bright orange growing edges contrasting with older, darker inner zones.
Related species
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