Anthracophyllum archeri, commonly known as Orange Fan, is from family Marasmiaceae, and grows on dead wood in native forests. Pronunciation is Anthrack-oh-fill-um archer-eye. It is a common fungus and can fruit at any time of year.
Caps are shell-shaped or fan-shaped, up to 35mm and are attached laterally to wood, occasionally with a very short stem, but my local observations have noted the absence of a stem. The upper surface of the cap is smooth and radially ridged, tan to light orange.
Smooth ridged upper surface of Orange Fan Fungi
Gills are similar in colour but often darker, widely spaced and fan out in various lengths from the point of attachment. Fungi have a smooth leathery texture.
Orange Fan Fungi are usually seen in large numbers and can be spaced along a stick or log, or crowded forming overlapping clusters. The structure of the fan shape with widely spaced fold-like gills make Anthracophyllum archeri easily distinguished from other fan-like or shell-like fungi.
Orange Fan Fungi occur as many single fruiting bodies.....
.....or crowded overlapping clusters.
My sightings of Anthracophyllum archeri
[This will be updated with new sightings]
Barrington Tops National Park NSW - on dead twigs and logs in rainforest - Mar, Apr, May, Nov.
Hunter Region Botanic Gardens - Heatherbrae NSW - on dead twigs in open eucalypt forest - Nov.
