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Fomes fomentarius, commonly known as the Tinder Fungus, is a bracket fungus known for its use as tinder. It grows on various trees, especially birch, and is easily recognizable by its hoof-like shape and tough, woody texture. The fungus has a long history of use in fire-starting and has also been used medicinally.
How to Identify
- Cap
- The cap is hard, woody, and hoof-shaped, typically 5-40 cm wide and 2-30 cm thick. The surface is smooth and can be various shades of brown or gray, often with concentric ridges.
- Gills
- Absent. The underside has pores instead of gills. The pores are small and round, with a brownish color.
- Stem
- Absent. The fruiting body is sessile, meaning it attaches directly to the tree without a stem.
- Flesh
- The flesh is tough and fibrous, with a dark brown color.
- Fruiting body
- The fruiting body is a perennial bracket fungus, meaning it persists for multiple years, adding new layers each year.
- Habitat
- Grows primarily on dead or dying birch trees, but can also be found on other hardwoods.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Smooth, Hard, Woody
- Growth Form: Bracket/Shelf
- Spore Print: White to Yellowish
- Body color: Brown to Gray
- Odor: Mild, fungal odor
- Flesh bruises: No bruising reaction
- Height: 2-30 cm thick
- Cap Diameter: 5-40 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Saprophytic/Parasitic
Safe
SafeFomes fomentarius is not considered toxic. It has been used for medicinal purposes and as tinder for fire-starting.
Quick Check
- Odor: Mild, fungal
- Fruiting: Perennial, year-round
- Substrate: Birch and other hardwoods
Where to Find
Hardwood Forests
Prefers dead or dying birch trees but can also be found on other hardwoods like beech and maple.
Temperate Zones
Common in temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America.
Finding Tips
Check Tree Trunks
Look for hoof-shaped brackets on the sides of trees, particularly birch.
Inspect Damaged Trees
Examine areas where trees are stressed or damaged, as the fungus often colonizes weakened trees.
Similar Species
Fomitopsis pinicola
Fungi
Also known as: Red Banded Polypore
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Polyporales
- Family
- Polyporaceae
- Genus
- Fomes
Storage Information
- Max Temperature: N/A
- Freezing duration: N/A
- Min Temperature: N/A
- Refrigeration: N/A
How to Clean
The Tinder Fungus is not typically consumed, so cleaning is not applicable. However, if harvesting for tinder, remove any loose debris or outer layers.
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