Birch Polypore - Fomitopsis betulina
Main features
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Found on living, dead or dying Birch
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Fruits in Summer and Autumn, but old fruit bodies can be found all year
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Has a large cap reaching 25cm wide and 6cm thick
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Several fruits often found on same host tree
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Cap starts off as a white ball bursting through the bark before turning grey-brown
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Cap is kidney-shaped
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Has white pores that buff with age
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No real discernible stem
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Smell pleasant and mild
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Flesh white, firm and soft, toughening with age
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Spores are white
Birch Polypore - Fomitopsis betulina
Inedible mushroom - novice identification
Other common names: Razor Strop Fungus, Swiss Army Knife Fungus, Birch Bracket
Scientific name meaning: Fomitopsis has Latin origins and means "looks like Fomes", another type of bracket fungus. Betulina is also Latin, and means associated with Birch, which this fungus grows on
Season - when will I find it? Summer to Autumn, but old fruits can be found all year
Habitat - where will I find it? Growing on living, dying and dead Birch trees
Description - what does it look like?
Growth: Birch Polypore Fungus grows both parasitically and as a saprobe on living dead or dying Birch. Often several fruits are found on the same tree
Cap: Starts off as a white ball bursting through the bark. The cap then become brown grey and kidney-shaped. It can reach up to 25cm wide and 6cm thick
Pores: The pore surface is white, turning buff with age
Stem: No real discernible stem
Flesh: Soft, firm and white at first, toughening with age
Smell: Mild and pleasant
Spore colour: White
Possible lookalikes Could be confused with the Dryad's Saddle (Polyporus squamosus), but this has brown scales resembling a bird's wing, and Birch Polypore grows on Birch
Use as a food Birch Polypore is considered inedible due to its bitter taste. However, some drink it as a medicinal tea
Use in medicine Birch Polypore is known to have some antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, styptic and even anticancer properties. Its potential use in medicine is being increasingly researched.
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner
Other uses The porous surface can be used as a natural plaster, and was used by barbers to strop razors. If dried out, can be used as a form of kindling
Hazards None known by author
Importance to other species A food source of slugs and snails
Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!
