Funky Fungi

[Humakt]

In my bid to improve my plant/fungi/everything ID skills, I was hoping someone may be able to help me identify these two fungi I saw today.
This first one was found on a beech tree. It was about a foot across. Here's a top and bottom picture:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7279/7839617224_69d9978625.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7839615196_59725fdb3c.jpg

Here's the next one. I'm afraid I forgot to take note of which tree it was under, but the woodland was a mix of predominantly yew with beech, occasional oak, ash and hazel. But I can't recall exactly what species it was beneath. Size of the crowns varied in diameter from the size of 10p coin to a 50p.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7839617756_b4a19b56b6.jpg

Maybe some kind of Deceiver?

Anyone know what they are and what they're used for?

Cheers all.

[luresalive]

Top one is artists conk

[AdrianRose]

Hi there

Top one I would say is a member of the Ganoderma genus and the bottom looks quite possibly from the Honey Fungus family.

Ade

[Humakt]

Yup, Artist's Conk it is!
And I thnk you may be right about the second one being Honey Fungus. I did a Google image search and it certainly did resemble some of the images.
Thanks, chaps.

[luresalive]

Yup, Artist's Conk it is!
And I thnk you may be right about the second one being Honey Fungus. I did a Google image search and it certainly did resemble some of the images.
Thanks, chaps.


It's a good source of amadou you know!

[Humakt]

It's a good source of amadou you know!

True. But it's a lot of faffing about preparing amadou - much easier to use a cramp ball!