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Tinder Polypore
ExploreFungi
Tinder Polypore
fomes excavatus
The Tinder Polypore is a special type of fungus that grows on trees. It looks like a shelf and can be used to start fires, making it super useful for camping adventures!
Habitat: It lives on decaying wood in forests.
Appearance
The Tinder Polypore is a tough, hoof-shaped or shelf-like fungus with a greyish-brown to blackish crust and a pale, porous underside. Its hard outer surface can show concentric growth rings, making it visually distinct from softer bracket fungi.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderPolyporalesFamilyPolyporaceaeGenusFomes
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient people carried glowing embers in its inner layer to transport fire between camps!
Some cultures used slices of its soft inner part as natural bandages or to stop bleeding!
Tiny insect larvae often tunnel through the fungus, finding both food and shelter inside!
You can tell how old a Tinder Polypore is by counting its annual growth rings, like a tree!
Special abilities
Ability
Fire Starter Power
Tinder Polypore can catch sparks easily because its soft, inner layer (amadou) is highly flammable, perfect for starting ancient fires.
Ability
Amadou Artisan
Tinder Polypore has a tough, leathery texture that helps it be shaped into useful items like razor strops, bandages, or even clothing.
Ability
Tree Decomposer
Tinder Polypore can break down dead or weakened tree wood, helping return essential nutrients back into the forest soil.
Ability
Perennial Growth
Tinder Polypore grows for many years, adding new layers annually, which helps it become very large and robust on tree trunks.
Measurements & details
- Edibility
- inedible
- Cap Diameter
- 10-50 cm
- Growth Substrate
- wood
- Season
- Year-round
- Spore Color
- White
Ecological connections
parasitizes
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
causing white rot and eventual tree decay
parasitizes
Silver Birch
Betula pendula
colonizing wounds on live or dead trees
parasitizes
English Oak
Quercus robur
aids in decomposition of dead oak wood
parasitizes
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
breaking down wood fibers in heartwood
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Fire PolyporeFomes excavatus
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tinder Polypore edible?
inedible
How big is Tinder Polypore?
10-50 cm
Where is Tinder Polypore usually found?
It lives on decaying wood in forests.
What does Tinder Polypore grow on?
wood
When is Tinder Polypore in season?
Year-round
What color are Tinder Polypore spores?
White
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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