In Australia, Gymnopilus allantopus is extremely common in the Perth region, most often seen on fallen logs and branches of Banksia species.

The fungus is easily identified in the field by its bright gills that develop rusty spots when old, a white flap on the margin of young caps, and white fan-like mycelium.

It was also given the provisional name Gymnopilus austrosapineus to distinguish small specimens from large ones sent in the 19th century from Australia to M. J. Berkeley in England.

He named the large specimens as G. allantopus in 1845 and referred to it as a "very noble" species.

Hence the name G. austrosapineus was determined to be superfluous because G. allantopus produces both small and large specimens.