Rhodofomes cajanderi is a widely distributed species of bracket fungus. Commonly known as the rosy conk due to its rose-colored pore surface, it causes a disease called a brown pocket rot in various conifer species.
Description Rhodofomes cajanderi is a perennial shelf fungus. It may be identified by its small-to-medium-sized, fleshy, tough fruit-body, with a downy or crust-like top. It grows to around wide. The top surface is a pink colour becoming to grey, brown, or black, with a clear margin.
The inside of the conk and the bottom are a rosy pink colour. The body of the fungus is rigid and can grow up to 1 cm thick. There are 3–5 round pores per millimeter. It produces a whitish spore print. It is inedible.
Similar species This species of polypore is morphologically similar to its relative, Rhodofomes roseus. Other similar species include Fomitopsis pinicola, Ganoderma lucidum, G. oregonense, and Rhodonia placenta.
Distribution and habitat It is widespread in western North America, with more prevalence in southern climates. It has a particular preference for higher-altitude spruce forests.
See also List of apricot diseases List of peach and nectarine diseases List of Douglas-fir diseases
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