Polyporaceae

English: Polypore/Bracket fungi family
Dutch: Houtzwamfamilie

The Polyporaceae is a family of wood-decay fungi comprising about 75 genera and 1,800+ species. They are distributed worldwide and are important decomposers of dead wood. Most species are tough, leathery, or woody and persist for long periods on dead or living trees.

Key Identifying Features

• Pores: Small tubes on underside, often in multiple layers
• Habit: Bracket or shelf-like, growing on wood (rarely from ground)
• Texture: Tough, leathery, or woody (not soft and fleshy)
• Persistence: Often perennial, adding new tube layers each year
• Habitat: On dead or living trees, logs, and stumps
• Role: Important wood decomposers and tree pathogens

Parent: Fungi