Fertile surface usually a layer of vertical tubes, of which the mouths are visible as pores on the underside of the cap or shelf. Fruiting bodies usually tougher or harder than the "normal" gilled mushrooms, being leathery, corky, or woody. But they can be quite tender while actively growing
Once grown, they do not decay easily, remaining on the substrate for months or years
They often grow on wood, although a few are terrestrial (even those are usually growing on buried wood) Fruiting body is usually a flat shelf, or hoof-shaped, protruding directly from the substrate, although sometimes it may have a short stalk.
Some forms never grow away from the substrate at all, so that all that is visible of the fruiting body are the pores.
Sometimes the pores are so minute that the fertile surface seems solid, until you look closely
Not fitting the other choices, not stipitate
In making choices below based on texture and size, place the emphasis on texture: if left alone, some of the smaller ones can eventually get quite big; and even the huge ones have to start out small at first
Cap bright orange, yellowish orange, or brownish orange when fresh, darkening to dark brown or black from center or in age. Capmargin usually remains colored
Pore surface greenish yellow at first, darkening similarly
Growth indeterminate; often with sticks and other debris embedded in the fruiting body
Polyporaceae Family
Lignicopolypore Subfamily
Inonotus Genus
Ischnoderma Genus
Laetiporus Genus
