Description: Basidiocarps annual, sessile to laterally stipitate, fleshy, reddish to brown, 7-20 cm wide and 2-5 cm thick, tubes separate but closely packed, pores 4-6 per mm, context reddish, marmorate, fleshy and juicy when fresh.

Distribution: Holartic species in temperate hardwood forest ecosystems, it also occurs in montains in subtropical areas. In Norway it follows the distribution of oaks up to Sogn og Fjordane.

Ecology: Its fleshy basidiocarps grow at the base of old, living or recently dead Quercus. The fungus produces a heart brown rot, making the attacked trees hollow. In the northernmost distribution area in southern Scandinavia, F. hepatica grows only on Quercus, while it occurs on numerous hardwood species in temperate and subtropical areas.

Remarks: Included in the Norwegian Red list. Status of threat: V+ (conservation demanding).

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