Tinder Fungus
(Rusty-hoof Polypore, Hoof Fungus, or Tinderwood Fungus)
Description
Fruit-body perennial, hoof-shaped to bracket-like, 10-30 x 5-20 cm, 10-25 cm thick, with an obtuse, felted growth zone. Upper surface concentrically zoned, smooth, with 1-2 mm thick, dark brown crust, ochre-brown or red-brown to light or dark grey.
Tubes each layer 2-8 mm, light brown. Pores 3-4 per mm, circular, cream to light ochre or brownish. Flesh corky to fibrous, tough, light brown. Smell pleasant.
Spore-print colour white.
Occurrence
Fairly common on trunks of Birch and Beech, occasionally on Oak and Lime (see 31.jpg, geotropism and 40.jpg, Tinder Fungus in Birch and 40A.jpg Tinder Fungus in Beech).
Parasitic. (Saprophyte).
Related and/or similar species
- Juvenile Fomes fomentarius
- Phellinus igniarius
- Fomitopsis pinicola