Fomes fomentarius

Taxobox
name = tinder fungus

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image_width = 200px
regnum = Fungi
phylum = Basidiomycota
classis = Agaricomycetes
ordo = Polyporales
familia = Fomitopsidaceae
genus = "Fomes"
species = "F. fomentarius"
binomial = "Fomes fomentarius"
binomial_authority = (L.) J.J. Kickx

Fomes fomentarius (formerly "Ungulina fomentaria" or "Polyporus fomentarius") is a bracket fungus often named "horse's hoof fungus" or "tinder fungus". It can be found in North America and Europe, typically on birch, but also on beech. A single tree may bear many fruiting bodies.

Whilst inedible, it has particular use in fire lighting, since the tissue of the basidiocarp can smoulder for several hours. This ability was exploited by ancient nomadic peoples to transport fire. Amadou can also be prepared from a velvet-like trama layer. The thickness of this layer varies greatly from fungus to fungus.

External links

* http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~5928~gid~.asp