How to distinguish a false tinder fungus from a real one?
The real tinder fungus is much lighter than the false one.
The top layer of a real tinder fungus is smooth. In a false fungus, the entire upper layer has many deep cracks.
Where does the false tinder fungus live?
The answer is simple - wherever there are sick trees. The fungus is most often found in places where trees were cut down, or where there was a forest fire. Young fungus appears on live, but old and damaged trees. Young and strong trees quickly heal their damage and are not exposed to tinder fungus.
If a tinder fungus settled on a living tree, then it feeds on the sap of the tree until the tree dies. On a dead tree, the fungus continues to live and decomposes dead wood. The fungus can be found on dead wood and stumps, sometimes it grows on wooden outbuildings.
(tree mushroom)
or burnt tinder fungus, false woody
✎ Affiliation and generic features
False tinder fungus (lat.Phellinus igniarius) and he is also a burnt tinder fungus, and among the people a tree fungus is a species of the genus fellinus (lat.Phellinus), an insignificant family of hymenochetes (lat.Hymenochaetaceae), of the same order, hymenochetes (lat.Hymenochaetales). In an exact and literal translation from Latin, its name means "cork". And it is this tinder fungus that is considered a false tinder fungus, that is: "a classic false tinder fungus" (or a false tree tinder fungus), although the same epithet (false) applies to many other species, for example: - a false pine tinder fungus; - a false tinder fungus with spruce; - false fir tinder fungus; - false aspen tinder fungus; - false oak tinder fungus; - a false plum tinder fungus, and, moreover, all these species are representatives of a single genus of fellinus. False tinder fungus, in adulthood, actually resembles something similar to a cork in the bark of a tree, but in fact it is a dangerous fungus-parasite (biotroph), which is related to the species of wood-destroying fungi that parasitize on rotten and rotten wood, or while still alive, climbing into damage to trees (cracks in the bark, broken branches or branches), causing colossal damage to forestry and parks. Recently, the false tinder fungus has been distributed into several special ranks (subspecies), slightly differing both in morphological characteristics and their confinement to parasitism on certain tree species, as well as in microscopic features. In appearance, the individual forms of the false tinder fungus practically do not differ from each other, but the original species of the false tinder fungus often affects either alder or birch, other varieties parasitize on aspen, ide, poplar, and other tree species. False tinder is a perennial creature, it does not belong to tubular mushrooms, because, unlike them, its tubules are inside the fetus itself, each year generating a "fresh" new layer, with the simultaneous overgrowing of the old one, while forming a hard, hoof-like outgrowth from rusty-brown to deep brown-chestnut color. False tinder fungus is related to inedible mushrooms due to the excessive rigidity of its pulp, which is not eliminated even by prolonged boiling and boiling, but it is used only for medical purposes.
✎ Healing properties
False tinder fungus (in the old days) in a crushed or ground form, was used as part of smoking mixtures. Well, in our time and in many regions of the planet, it is used in the guise of a medicinal resource. For example, in traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to prevent and treat cancer, diabetes, liver, heart and vascular diseases.And it is necessary to point out that despite the okay distribution of the false tinder fungus subspecies in almost all parts of the world, only one of them, which grows in Taiwan, has antitumor properties.
✎ Similar views
False tinder fungus has little resemblance to the species of its order, but sometimes it is confused with the present tinder fungus. And a distinctive feature of the present tinder fungus is its color and the peculiarity of fastening the fruit body to the tree, which manifests itself in the possibility of easy separation of the fruit from the trunk. And the main distinguishing feature of the false tinder fungus is already a powerful, monolithic and hoof-like fruit body, either dark brown or black, with a rusty-brown edging of a stiff tubular layer.
✎ Distribution in nature and seasonality
False tinder fungus is quite common in Europe and Russia, and is found in deciduous, mixed or coniferous forests, on trunks (more often birch), as well as on the roots of both living and dying, or already dead trees. Well, it can also be found in dead wood, on stumps and in dry wood, more often alone and less often in pairs. False tinder fungus forms fruits during the warmest period of the year, from May to December.
Description of a bordered tinder fungus.
The fruit body of the pine tinder fungus is sessile, growing sideways to the tree. At a young age, the shape of the fruiting bodies is round or semicircular, but over time it can become hoof-shaped or cushion-shaped. The diameter of the fruit bodies most often reaches 15 centimeters in adulthood, and sometimes reaches 30 centimeters. The height of the mushroom reaches 10 centimeters. The legs of the bordered tinder fungus are not available.
A characteristic feature of the bordered tinder fungus cap is well-defined concentric zones. These zones differ in color, they are separated by depressions. The color of the old areas of the cap is gray-gray or gray-brown, it can even go up to black. The color of the outer growing ridge is orange, red, or yellow-orange. The surface of the fruiting body is covered with an uneven, dull skin, which becomes slightly resinous towards the center. In wet weather, transparent drops often appear on the surface of the wood sponge.
The hymenophore of the pine tinder fungus is tubular. The tubes are arranged horizontally. The color of the tubes is cream or beige, most often with a pink tint. If you press on the hymenophore, it darkens to gray-brown or dark brown. The spores are small, colorless. The shape of the spores is elliptical or ovoid. Spore powder is light, whitish, yellowish or cream-colored. Plentifully bordered polypores spore. In dry warm weather, the spore powder is very visible.
The pulp is elastic, dense, felt in structure, like a sponge, sometimes it can be woody. At the break, the pulp is flaky. The color of the pulp is light - light brown or yellow-beige, but in old age it becomes chocolate brown or chestnut.
Areas of growth of bordered polypores.
This is a saprophyte mushroom. The fruiting bodies of the bordered tinder fungus are perennial. Wood sponges are found everywhere in the temperate climatic zone. This type of mushroom is quite common in Russia and Europe.
Pine tinder fungi grow on stumps, dead wood and dry wood. These fungi inhabit most coniferous and deciduous trees. If mushrooms settle on living trees, then their fruiting bodies are located in the lower part of the trunk.
Natural significance and role in forestry
Aspen tinder fungus is highly harmful, destroying most of the commercial timber. It spreads in most areas of aspen, causing premature death of trees. However, there are some species of aspen with a certain degree of resistance to the parasite. The polypore slowly kills the tree (over ten years or more), prolonging its existence and increasing the number of spores formed. However, even in the initial stages of damage, wood loses its commercial qualities, its class falls.The fungus affects aspen mainly at the age of 30 ± 5 years. Thus, technical felling trees are threatened.
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Tinder Gartig (Phellinus hartigii)
Fruit body:
the fruiting bodies of the fungus are usually formed in the lower part of the trunk from the northern side. Single fruiting bodies are perennial. Sometimes fruiting bodies grow together in several specimens. First, the fruiting bodies are nodular, then cantilever. Attached by a wide base. Quite large, about 28 centimeters wide, up to 20 centimeters thick. The upper surface is rough, with wide, staggered zones, at first it has a yellow-brown color, then changes color to a dirty grayish or blackish. As the mushroom matures, the surface cracks and becomes covered with green algae. The edges of the fruiting body are rounded, obtuse, ocher-brown or light reddish.
Hymenophore:
rusty brown or yellowish brown. The pores are angular or rounded. The tubes are arranged in several layers, each tubular layer is separated by a sterile layer.
Pulp:
woody, very hard, zoned. On the fractures, flesh with a silky sheen. Yellowish rusty or yellowish brown.
Spreading:
Tinder fungus Gartig is found in coniferous forests. Grows on conifers, usually on fir.
Similarity:
this species closely resembles the Phellinus robustus growing on the oak. The difference is the substrate and the layers of sterile tissue between the layers of the tubes.
Household purpose:
Gartig's polypore causes a pale yellow rot that is limited by narrow black lines from healthy wood. This mushroom is a dangerous pest of fir. Trees are infected through broken branches and other injuries. In the early stages of decay, the affected wood becomes fibrous, soft. Brown mycelium of the fungus accumulates under the bark, rotten branches appear. Then, depressed places are formed on the surface of the trunks, in which the fungus forms fruiting bodies.
Notes:
trees affected by tinder fungus are scattered in fir plantations singly. In the foci of infection, the infection with tinder fungus can reach 40% or more. Especially in old fir stands. The thickest trees in the stand are mainly affected. The development of rot in the trunk of such trees is accompanied by the formation of tinder bodies on the trunks. As a result, the resistance of the trees decreases, the clutter and the formation of foci of stem pests increase.
Habitat and shape
Most often, the fungus grows in areas where trees have been felled or forest fires have occurred. If the tree is strong and young, then most likely it will cope with the disease. But old, damaged, but still living trees are highly likely to be infected with a young fungus.
If a false tinder fungus settles on a living plant, then it will begin to feed on its juices until it dies. But even on a dead tree, the fungus lives by decomposing dead wood. It can be seen on stumps, dead wood and even on outbuildings.
A mushroom called false tinder fungus belongs to the polyporous family (from Latin Polyporus). In other words, this family is called tinder basidial from a separate order aphyllophoric (from Latin Polyporales).
The shape of such mushrooms is usually hoof-shaped or one-sided-cap. These are the owners of a structure completely uncharacteristic for mushrooms. The peculiarity lies in the fact that the fruiting body and tubules of polypores are relatively independent of each other during the formation of the fresh hymenial layer.
In general, the family of polyporous fungi is very diverse. It unites more than sixty genera, each of which includes several dozen more species.
The name tinder came from the fact that the fruiting body of such mushrooms was traditionally used to make tinder - a flammable material from any spark. It is also interesting that in the old days they carried fire in tinder fungi.
Most of the aphyllophors parasitize on the branches and trunks of trees, destroying valuable timber and causing significant damage to the national economy.
Polypores rarely grow on soil. They have a tubular hymenophore, and the fruiting bodies have a prostrate, capped or sessile shape. The consistency of the mushroom is fleshy and even tough, corky, woody.
Fruiting bodies in polyporous fungi are formed after several months and even several years after the onset of mycelium development. The bodies themselves are very diverse.
Of interest is the oak tinder fungus growing on the bark of an oak tree. In Latin it is phellinus igniarius, which means smoking cork. Most likely, this name is due to the fact that in terms of the method and form of fastening, the mushroom resembles a wooden cork in the hole of a trunk or branch. Its counterpart is a false oak mushroom tinder fungus.
Description of the false tinder fungus.
- Outwardly, it looks like all tinder fungus - it has the shape of a hoof. The upper part of the fruiting body is colored dirty gray, dark brown or black. Deep characteristic cracks are located on it in the radial direction. The lower part is brown and covered with small pores. At a young age, the fruit body has an oval shape and is painted in a pleasant pale pink or whitish color.
- Firm flesh on the cut, dirty red color. This very hard pulp makes beautiful and durable tool or knife handles.
- The leg of the mushroom is completely absent.
The benefits and harms of a false tinder fungus.
The mushroom is not used commercially. Only individual craftsmen make beautiful and durable crafts from it.
Shrewd merchants sell shredded mushroom as a healing remedy, citing Chinese medicine recipes. But we do not live in China, and our methods of treatment differ significantly. This mushroom has never been used in our folk medicine.
There is nothing useless in Nature. This tinder fungus infects only old and diseased trees. And he successfully turns dead wood into dust, thereby improving the forest litter.
After a sharp reduction in the number of people caring for the forest, sanitary felling ceased. Now the function of rejecting diseased trees has passed to tinder fungi.
If you have a special opinion about this tinder fungus, then you can leave your comment.
Andrey Pavlov, blog author.
(tree mushroom)
or burnt tinder fungus, false woody
✎ Affiliation and generic features
False tinder fungus (lat.Phellinus igniarius) and he is also a burnt tinder fungus, and among the people a tree fungus is a species of the genus fellinus (lat.Phellinus), an insignificant family of hymenochetes (lat.Hymenochaetaceae), of the same order, hymenochetes (lat.Hymenochaetales). In an exact and literal translation from Latin, its name means "cork". And it is this tinder fungus that is considered a false tinder fungus, that is: "a classic false tinder fungus" (or a false tree tinder fungus), although the same epithet (false) applies to many other species, for example: - a false pine tinder fungus; - a false tinder fungus with spruce; - false fir tinder fungus; - false aspen tinder fungus; - false oak tinder fungus; - a false plum tinder fungus, and, moreover, all these species are representatives of a single genus of fellinus. False tinder fungus, in adulthood, actually resembles something similar to a cork in the bark of a tree, but in fact it is a dangerous fungus-parasite (biotroph), which is related to the species of wood-destroying fungi that parasitize on rotten and rotten wood, or while still alive, climbing into damage to trees (cracks in the bark, broken branches or branches), causing colossal damage to forestry and parks. Recently, the false tinder fungus has been distributed into several special ranks (subspecies), slightly differing both in morphological characteristics and their confinement to parasitism on certain tree species, as well as in microscopic features.In appearance, the individual forms of the false tinder fungus practically do not differ from each other, but the original species of the false tinder fungus often affects either alder or birch, other varieties parasitize on aspen, ide, poplar, and other tree species. False tinder is a perennial creature, it does not belong to tubular mushrooms, because, unlike them, its tubules are inside the fetus itself, each year generating a "fresh" new layer, with the simultaneous overgrowing of the old one, while forming a hard, hoof-like outgrowth from rusty-brown to deep brown-chestnut color. False tinder fungus is related to inedible mushrooms due to the excessive rigidity of its pulp, which is not eliminated even by prolonged boiling and boiling, but it is used only for medical purposes.
✎ Healing properties
False tinder fungus (in the old days) in a crushed or ground form, was used as part of smoking mixtures. Well, in our time and in many regions of the planet, it is used in the guise of a medicinal resource. For example, in traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to prevent and treat cancer, diabetes, liver, heart and vascular diseases. And it is necessary to point out that despite the okay distribution of the false tinder fungus subspecies in almost all parts of the world, only one of them, which grows in Taiwan, has antitumor properties.
Bordered polypore (Fomitopsis pinicola)
Synonyms:
- Pine tinder fungus
- Fomitopsis pinicola
- Boletus pinicola
- Trametes pinicola
- Pseudofomes pinicola
Bordered polypore (Fomitopsis pinicola) is a mushroom of the Fomitopsis family, belongs to the Fomitopsis genus.
Description
Bordered polypore (Fomitopsis pinicola) is a well-known fungus, belongs to saprophytes. It is characterized by perennial fruiting bodies that grow sideways, sessile. Young specimens have a rounded or hemispherical shape. Over time, the shape of this type of mushroom changes. It can be hoof-like and cushion-shaped.
Hat: usually of medium size, about 20-25 cm in diameter, but can easily reach 30 or even 40 centimeters (in old mushrooms). The height of the cap is up to 10 cm. Concentric areas are clearly visible on its surface. They vary in color and are separated by depressions. The colors can be very different: from red to dark brownish red or from brown to black at the site of attachment or after maturation, with a marginal area from white to yellow.
The surface of the cap is covered with a thin skin, lacquered-shiny on the edge or in very young mushrooms, later becomes dull, and closer to the center - slightly resinous.
Leg: absent.
If wet weather sets in outside, droplets of liquid appear on the surface of the fruiting body of the bordered tinder fungus. This process is called gutting.
Very young bordered polypores also gutt:
And more mature specimens during the period of active growth:
The pulp of the mushroom is dense, elastic, resembles a cork in structure. It can sometimes be woody. It becomes flaky when broken. Light brown or light beige (chestnut in mature fruiting bodies).
Hymenophore: tubular, cream or beige. It darkens with mechanical stress, becoming gray or dark brown. The pores are rounded, well-defined, small, 3-6 pores per 1 mm, about 8 mm deep
Chemical reactions: KOH on pulp from red to dark brown. Spore powder: white, yellow or cream. Spores: 6-9 x 3.5-4.5 microns, cylindrical, non-amyloid, smooth, smooth.
Season and habitat of the mushroom
Bordered tinder fungi are referred to as saprophytes, provoking the development of brown rot. It is found in many regions, but most often in Europe and Russia.
Despite the epithet “Pinicola”, from pinūs - pine, living on pines, pine, Bordered polypore grows successfully on dead wood and dead wood not only of conifers, but also deciduous trees, on stumps. If a living tree is weakened, then the fungus can also infect it, starting life as a parasite, later becoming a saprophyte.The fruiting bodies of fringed polypores usually begin to grow at the bottom of the tree trunk.
Edibility
Edible. Used to create mushroom flavored seasonings. It is a raw material for homeopathic medicines. It is successfully used in Chinese traditional medicine.
Similar types and differences from them
This mushroom is difficult to confuse with others. Unique concentric stripes of different colors on the surface of the cap are the decoration and calling card of this mushroom.
Other information about the mushroom
Bordered polypore (Fomitopsis pinicola) causes serious damage to timber warehouses in Siberia. Causes decay of wood blanks.
Photo: Maria, Alexander Kozlovskikh, Gumenyuk Vitaly.
Distribution and habitats
The fungus is found in all countries of the world. In Russia, the false tinder fungus is widespread and is one of the most common not only in forests, but also in parks and gardens. Common, including in the Rtishchevsky region.
The fungus causes a heart rot with black lines. Rot develops in the lower and middle parts of the trunk at a height of 2 to 8 m or more. First, whitish and light yellow spots and stripes are obtained on the affected areas of wood. In subsequent stages, these efflorescences take on more noticeable, irregular outlines and at the same time, a gradual loosening of the wood itself is noticed. In the final stage of decay, a hollow is often formed. Infection occurs by spores through wounds on the trunk, dead or broken off branches. Causes significant damage to forestry.
