Cunningham (1948f) listed collections on Beilschmiedia, Carpodeotus and Metrosideros as Fomes zealandicus Cke., but in 1965 separated F. senex from F. zealandicus on morphology of the hymenial layer; he placed both species in the genus Phellinus. Gilmour (1966a) listed it as causing a white pocket heart rot in these native trees. It is of minor economic importance.

Type: Lignicolous Fungi; Description: Basidiomata perennial, solitary, firm and woody, attached by a broad lateral base. Pilei applanate or effused-reflexed, 30–250 mm wide, 40 mm thick. Pileus surface tomentose, becoming glabrous, concentrically sulcate and ridged, chestnut brown to cinnamon brown, darkening to deep brown when old, margin even, chestnut brown. Pore surface even, with a sterile border 1–3 mm wide, chestnut brown, darkening with age; pores stratose, small, 7–9 per mm. Context cinnamon brown, up to 5 mm thick. Hyphal system dimitic. Setae subulate, acuminate, 15–30 × 5–9 μm, chestnut brown. Basidiospores broadly ellipsoid, 4–6 × 3–4 μm, smooth, hyaline.

Distribution: Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Westland, Mid Canterbury, Stewart Island.; 1st Record: Cunningham (1927: as Fomes zelandicus — see Cunningham 1949).

Significance: The common cause of a white-pocket heart-rot, which has no significance.; Host(s): Beilschmiedia tarairi, Carpodetus serratus, Dacrydium cupressinum, Metrosideros excelsa, M. robusta, Nothofagus menziesii, Prumnopitys taxifolia, Weinmannia racemosa.