Fomitopsis betulina (Bull.) B.K.Cui M.L.Han & Y.C.Dai Piptoporus betulinus (Bull.) P. Karst. Agarico-pulpa pseudoagaricon Paulet Boletus suberosus L. Boletus betulinus Bull. Polyporus betulinus (Bull.) Fr. Ungulina betulina (Bull.) Pat. Fomitopsis betulina Birch polypore, razor strop
The birch polypore is native to temperate regions worldwide. Its habitat is birch trees, especially white birch. They are tougher than they look: barbers once sharpened their razors on leathery strips cut from these mushrooms. Fruits: These bracket fungi extend from the sides of dead or dying birches. (This is kind of amazing, since the bark of white birches is so durable that an entire downed tree rots before the bark degrades.) The fruits are whitish or gray-brown on top and cream-colored below, and kidney-shaped. As they mature, they become flatter and browner on top, and tan beneath. Undersides are dense clusters of pores ¹/₃₂-⅛" (1.5-5 mm) deep. The fruits have a strong pleasant mushroomy odor. Spores: Spores are cylindrical to ellipsoidal, smooth, and 3-6 µm × 1.3-2 µm. Spore prints are white. Edibility: Tough and bitter, these are technically edible but not desirable. Medical: The antibiotic piptamine is obtained from this fungus. Piptamine shows antimicrobial activity against some Gram positive bacteria, yeasts (Candida albicans) and fungi. They are a natural astringent, used to help stop bleeding. Online References:
Fomitopsis betulina on Michael Kuo's MushroomExpert.com Fomitopsis betulina on www.first-nature.com Fomitopsis betulina on www.mushroomknowhow.com Fomitopsis betulina on www.ediblewildfood.com Fomitopsis betulina on Wikipedia Fomitopsis betulina on link.springer.com On gray birch. · 4/14/2013 · Bemis Rd, Pepperell, Massachusetts On gray birch. · 4/14/2013 · Bemis Rd, Pepperell, Massachusetts On gray birch. · 4/14/2013 · Bemis Rd, Pepperell, Massachusetts 12/12/2020 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine
Fomitopsis betulina description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 7 Nov 2020. © FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved. |
9/27/2013 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine 1/7/2012 · Beaver Brook Association Trails, Hollis, New Hampshire 12/9/2011 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts 1/7/2012 · Beaver Brook Association Trails, Hollis, New Hampshire 1/7/2012 · Beaver Brook Association Trails, Hollis, New Hampshire 3/21/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts 9/27/2013 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine 1/7/2012 · Beaver Brook Association Trails, Hollis, New Hampshire
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