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Mushroom ID

Birch Polypore

Fomitopsis betulina

LOW RISK

Identification: Fomitopsis betulina (Birch Polypore)

Birch Polypore - Image 1
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Alle Bilder (4)

Hauptmerkmale

  • Sessile
  • hoof-shaped or kidney-shaped bracket.
  • Grows exclusively on birch wood (Betula spp.).
  • Upper surface pale tan to whitish
  • smooth or finely velvety.
  • Pore surface white/cream when young
  • darkening to brown/blackish with age.
  • Thick
  • corky
  • and tough texture.
Farbe:

Pale tan to whitish cap; dark brown/blackish pore surface (aged).

Geruch:

No distinctive smell

Wuchsform:

Single

Umgebung:

Wood

Lebensraum & Verbreitung

Lebensraum:

Deciduous forest, growing on dead or dying birch trees.

Verbreitung:

Widespread across the Northern Hemisphere, common in the UK.

Saisonalität:

Year-round (perennial)

Wirtschaftlicher Wert

Marktnachfrage:

Low - used primarily in traditional medicine and crafts.

Preisspanne:

N/A

Kommerzielle Nutzung:

Historically used as tinder, razor strops, and for medicinal teas.

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Smoky Polypore

Bjerkandera adusta

Non-toxic, inedible
Hauptunterschiede:
  • Much thinner and flexible structure.
  • Pore surface is distinctly smoky grey to black.
  • Grows on various hardwoods, not restricted to birch.

Turkey Tail

Trametes versicolor

Non-toxic, inedible
Hauptunterschiede:
  • Very thin and flexible cap.
  • Cap surface highly zoned with multiple colors.
  • Pore surface is white with minute pores.

Empfohlene Handlung

Do not consume. This species is non-toxic but tough and generally considered inedible.