Phellinus igniarius (L.) Quél. (1886)

Horse hooves

About plant names...

Horse hooves are native to the northern half of North America.

Identification: These large shelf-like fungi lives on trunks of birch and aspen, as well as alder, madrone, manzanita, maple, and willow, often on living trees. It forms dark brown or black, woody, hoof-shaped fruits 1¾-8" (5-20 cm) around and almost as thick. As it ages it becomes cracked or furrowed and darker in color. It generally has no stalk.

Edibility: Horse hooves are not edible, says David Arora, author of Mushrooms Demystified, “unless you are fond of wood.” Tom Volk’s Fungus of the Month site describes its possible use in conjunction with tobacco by native Americans; similar use is also attributed to some Inupiaq and Yup’ik Eskimos of Western Alaska in the past and even today. Ashes from the mushrooms are said to contribute “a powerful kick” when smoked with tobacco. Research indicates that this is a serious health risk.

Online References:

Phellinus igniarius on RogersMushrooms.com

Phellinus igniarius on Tom Volk's Fungi site, at the Department of Biology at the University of Wisconsin

Phellinus igniarius at Wisconsin Mushrooms

Phellinus igniarius on Wikimedia Commons

Phellinus igniarius on RogersMushrooms.com

References:

Arora, David, Mushrooms Demystified, Ten Speed Press, 1986, p. 581

Phellinus igniarius description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Growing on Birch. · 10/3/2010 · Tarkill Interpretive Trail, Rte 402, Poconos, Peck’s Pond, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 8 × 12" (20 × 31 cm) ID is uncertain

Growing on Birch. · 10/3/2010 · Tarkill Interpretive Trail, Rte 402, Poconos, Peck’s Pond, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 12 × 10" (31 × 26 cm) ID is uncertain

8/25/2013 · Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail, Monadnock Conservancy, Peterborough, New Hamp­shire
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 12 cm) ID is uncertain

8/25/2013 · Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail, Monadnock Conservancy, Peterborough, New Hamp­shire
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 16 cm) ID is uncertain

Growing on Birch. · 10/3/2010 · Tarkill Interpretive Trail, Rte 402, Poconos, Peck’s Pond, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 15 × 12" (37 × 29 cm) ID is uncertain

The host tree is a yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). · 10/3/2010 · Tarkill Interpretive Trail, Rte 402, Poconos, Peck’s Pond, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 10 × 15" (26 × 39 cm)