Fomitopsis pinicola

Fomitopsis pinicola, is a stem-decay fungus. Its conk (fruit body) is known as the red-belted conk or red-belted bracket. The species is common throughout temperate Eurasia. It is a decay fungus that serves as a small-scale disturbance agent in coastal rainforest ecosystems. It influences stand structure and succession in temperate rainforests. It performs essential nutrient cycling functions in forests. As well as a key producer of brown rot residues that are stable soil components in coniferous forest ecosystems.