Fomitopsis betulina (Bull.) B.K.Cui

Birch polypore, razor strop

About plant names...

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 idp.springer.com

On gray birch. · 4/14/2013 · Bemis Rd, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 5 × 3½" (13 × 9.2 cm)

On gray birch. · 4/14/2013 · Bemis Rd, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 4½ × 3½" (11 × 9.2 cm)

On gray birch. · 4/14/2013 · Bemis Rd, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.9 cm)

Fomitopsis betulina description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 5 Oct 2021.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.

12/12/2020 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine

9/27/2013 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine
≈ 7 × 5" (17 × 13 cm)

12/9/2011 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 6" (17 × 14 cm)

3/21/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 10 × 7" (25 × 18 cm)

9/27/2013 · Gordon and Kathy’s, Prospect, Maine
≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 15 cm)

9/29/2012 · Franconia Falls Trail, Franconia Notch, New Hamp­shire
≈ 4½ × 6" (11 × 14 cm)