Gloeophyllum odoratum

The fruiting bodies are perennial, of irregular fan shape, often laterally attached and arranged in overlapping shelves. Their “felty bracket” formations are often found on tree stumps. The cap is 5–15 cm across, with fine irregular lines on the top and uneven velvety surface.

The expanding edge is blunt, bright yellow or orange, older fruiting body parts are dark brown to black in the centre. When young, the pores are greyish orange, later darkening to dull brown. The fungus is saprophytic, the mycelium causing intensive red dry rot appearing as a brown linear discolouration in the spruce wood. With a tolerance for direct sunlight and higher temperatures, the fungus rather commonly develops its fruiting bodies on the surface of tree stumps. A characteristic feature of the fruiting bodies is their strong aniseed or fennel odour.