shelf fungus
noun
plural shelf fungi
: a polypore fungus (such as chicken of the woods) that is found chiefly on the trunks and limbs of trees and that forms tough, often woody fruiting bodies which are fanlike or shelflike in form
also : the fruiting body of a shelf fungus : conk entry 3
Note: The fungus and fruiting body are also called bracket fungi.
Word History
First Known Use
1880, in the meaning defined above