Inonotus ulmicola
Local name: almsprängticka
Inonotus ulmicola, commonly known as almsprängticka, is a bracket fungus that forms distinctive woody, hoof-shaped fruiting bodies on elm trees. This parasitic species creates perennial conks with a dark, crusty exterior and rusty-brown pore surface underneath.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) raunay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by raunay
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Hymenochaetales
Family
Hymenochaetaceae
Genus
Inonotus
Inonotus ulmicola belongs to the family Hymenochaetaceae, order Hymenochaetales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
Inonotus ulmicola, commonly known as almsprängticka, is a bracket fungus that forms distinctive woody, hoof-shaped fruiting bodies on elm trees. This parasitic species creates perennial conks with a dark, crusty exterior and rusty-brown pore surface underneath. It plays a crucial ecological role as both a tree pathogen and decomposer, contributing to forest nutrient cycling while creating habitat cavities used by various wildlife species.
Inonotus ulmicola faces significant threats primarily due to the widespread decline and disease of its host trees, particularly elm species affected by Dutch elm disease and other pathogens. Habitat fragmentation and loss of mature elm trees in both urban and natural environments have reduced available substrate for this specialized fungus. Climate change may further stress host trees and alter the environmental conditions necessary for successful fruiting and spore dispersal.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species occurs as a wood-decay fungus on elm trees (Ulmus species), typically found in deciduous and mixed forests, urban parks, and riparian woodlands where mature elm trees are present. It grows as a bracket fungus on living and dead elm wood, requiring specific moisture and temperature conditions for fruiting body development.
Threats
Dutch elm disease and host tree mortality
Habitat fragmentation and loss of mature elm forests
Climate change impacts on host tree health
Limited dispersal ability and host specificity
Urban development and removal of host trees
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Inonotus ulmicola (Inonotus ulmicola). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/almsprangticka