Small and very variable with thin felty nad leathery brackets usually in overlapping groups. The upper surface is zonate - i.e in concentric zones of constrating colours - and can be brightly colured, but the colour varies a great deal.  The pores are small and rounded, 4 - 5 per mm., and the fertile surface is whitish or cream.  

Other Trametes.  Stereum species (e.g. Yellowing Curtain-crust) can look very similar, with small zonate fruitbodies, but these have a smooth under-surface without pores.

Photograph upper and lower fertile surface to show pores; note host plant and substrate

Deciduous wood, usually stumps; typically beech, rarely conifers

All year

Very common and widespread in Britain.

Very common in Leicestershire and Rutland.