False Tinder Conk

Description

Phellinus igniarius, commonly known as the False Tinder Conk, is a widespread and perennial bracket fungus belonging to the family Hymenochaetaceae. It is a significant white-rot pathogen of hardwoods, causing a white heart rot in living trees. Its fruiting bodies are hard, woody, and hoof-shaped, growing directly on the trunks of various deciduous trees. The species name 'igniarius' refers to its historical use as tinder for starting fires, though it is less effective than Fomes fomentarius (True Tinder Conk).

How to Identify

Cap

The 'cap' is the upper surface of the perennial fruiting body. It is convex to hoof-shaped, often flattened at the base where it attaches to the tree. Color ranges from dark gray to black, sometimes with a brownish tinge, especially towards the margin. The surface is typically dull, rough, and concentrically furrowed or zoned, often developing deep cracks with age. The margin is blunt, rounded, and typically lighter in color, often grayish-brown or reddish-brown.

Gills

Phellinus igniarius is a polypore, meaning it has pores on its underside instead of gills. The pore surface is flat, grayish-brown to brown, becoming darker with age. The pores are very small, typically 4-6 per millimeter, circular to angular. The tubes are stratified, forming distinct layers corresponding to annual growth, and are the same color as the context.

Stem

Absent (sessile). The fruiting body is directly attached to the host tree.

Flesh

The context (flesh) is very hard, woody, and fibrous. It is dark reddish-brown to rusty brown, lacking distinct zones. It does not change color when cut or bruised. The pore layer is stratified, meaning new layers of pores are added each year, visible as distinct layers when the conk is cut in cross-section.

Fruiting body

Perennial, sessile, hoof-shaped to ungulate (horse-hoof shaped), very hard and woody. Can grow quite large, up to 30 cm (12 inches) across and 20 cm (8 inches) thick. The upper surface is typically concentrically zoned, dark gray to black, often cracked with age, and may be covered with algae or moss. The margin is usually blunt and lighter in color, often brownish or grayish-brown.

Habitat

Saprobic and parasitic on living and dead deciduous trees, particularly birch (Betula spp.), aspen (Populus tremuloides), willow (Salix spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), and beech (Fagus spp.). It causes a white heart rot in the host wood. Typically found growing singly or in small groups on the trunks of standing trees or fallen logs.

Key Facts

• Cap surfaces: Dark gray to black, concentrically zoned and furrowed, often cracked with age.
• Growth Form: Sessile, ungulate (hoof-shaped) bracket.
• Spore Print: White to pale yellow (spores are hyaline, smooth, broadly ellipsoid).
• Body color: Upper surface dark gray to black; pore surface grayish-brown; context dark reddish-brown.
• Odor: Mild, earthy.
• Flesh bruises: Does not bruise or change color.
• Height: Up to 20 cm (8 inches) thick.
• Cap Diameter: Up to 30 cm (12 inches) across.
• Nutrient gathering: Parasitic and saprobic, causing white heart rot in hardwoods.

Quick Check

• Odor: Mildly fungoid or earthy, not distinctive.
• Fruiting: Perennial, hoof-shaped, woody bracket.
• Substrate: Living or dead deciduous trees, causing white heart rot.

Where to Find

Finding Tips

Similar Species

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Basidiomycota

Class

Agaricomycetes

Order

Hymenochaetales

Family

Hymenochaetaceae

Genus

Phellinus

Storage Information

• Max Temperature: Not applicable for consumption.
• Freezing duration: Not applicable for consumption.
• Min Temperature: Not applicable for consumption.
• Refrigeration: Not applicable for consumption.

How to Clean

Not applicable, as this mushroom is not consumed. If collected for craft or tinder purposes, simply brush off any loose debris, moss, or dirt. No washing is required or recommended due to its woody texture.

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