EN

Smooth Bristle Bracket

Phellinus laevigatus

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Smooth Bristle Bracket faces severe decline due to the loss of old-growth forest habitats containing the large, mature deciduous trees it requires as host substrates. Intensive forestry practices and urban development have dramatically reduced the availability of suitable host trees, particularly ancient oaks and other hardwoods with the specific bark characteristics this fungus needs for establishment. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering forest composition and increasing the frequency of droughts that stress both the fungus and its host trees.

Threat summary

Habitat

This bracket fungus grows exclusively on the bark of mature deciduous trees, particularly favoring ancient oaks, beech, and other hardwood species in old-growth and semi-natural woodland environments. It requires stable forest conditions with minimal disturbance and specific microclimate conditions that develop around long-established tree hosts.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Hymenochaetaceae

Shaggy BracketVU

Shaggy Bracket

Inonotus hispidus

Unknown
EN

Robust Bracket

Fomitiporia robusta

Unknown
VU

tajgaporing

Inonotopsis subiculosa

Unknown
VU

Shiny Cinnamon Polypore

Coltricia cinnamomea

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Smooth Bristle Bracket classified as Endangered?
Smooth Bristle Bracket is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Smooth Bristle Bracket faces severe decline due to the loss of old-growth forest habitats containing the large, mature deciduous trees it requires as host substrates. Intensive forestry practices and urban development have dramatically reduced the availability of suitable host trees, particularly ancient oaks and other hardwoods with the specific bark characteristics this fungus needs for establishment. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering forest composition and increasing the frequency of droughts that stress both the fungus and its host trees.
Where does Smooth Bristle Bracket live?
Smooth Bristle Bracket occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Smooth Bristle Bracket?
The main threats to Smooth Bristle Bracket are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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