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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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Tutte le immagini (4)

Caratteristiche Chiave

  • 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.
Colore:

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

Odore:

No distinctive smell

Schema di Crescita:

Single

Ambiente:

Wood

Habitat e Distribuzione

Habitat:

Deciduous forest, growing on dead or dying birch trees.

Distribuzione:

Widespread across the Northern Hemisphere, common in the UK.

Stagionalità:

Year-round (perennial)

Valore Economico

Domanda di Mercato:

Low - used primarily in traditional medicine and crafts.

Fascia di Prezzo:

N/A

Uso Commerciale:

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

Specie Simili

Smoky Polypore

Bjerkandera adusta

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

Azione Consigliata

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