Story behind the art of Steven J. Morris

28th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists and Marin Art & Garden Center

Bracket Fungus

Basidiomycetes

I found this bracket fungus growing on a tree stump in my backyard and thought it would make an interesting subject to paint.

Doing a little research, I learned that polypores, also called bracket or shelf fungi, are in the Basidiomycota division of fungi. They form large fruiting bodies called conks. The conks are woody, circular, shelf or bracket shaped, with pores or tubes on the underside, lying in horizontal rows. Brackets can range from a single to dozens of rows that can weigh hundreds of pounds. Unlike many of their mushroom cousins, most bracket fungi are inedible and most are poisonous. They can be spongy or hard to the touch, and they have been ground into powder for tea and medicine, used as a fire starter, carved into jewelry and other objects, and even as a canvas for art.

Maybe I should consider doing my next painting on a bracket fungus itself. What do you think?

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Read more about this artist's work: BAWW 2025