Content
Phellinus, or Lundell's false tinder fungus, is designated in mycological reference books under the name Phellinus lundellii. Another name is Ochroporus lundellii. Belongs to the department Basidiomycetes.
The surface of the tinder fungus is dry, with a clear boundary near the hymenophore
What does Lundell's false tinder fungus look like?
The fruiting bodies grow in small groups, separately, rarely merging in parts and only at the base. The average thickness is 15 cm, the width of the cap is 5-6 cm.
External description:
- the upper surface is protected by a dense, dry crust with numerous cracks and a rough, bumpy structure;
- the color is black at the base, dark brown closer to the edge;
- the surface is embossed in the form of protrusions with concentric circles;
- the shape is prostrate, triangular at the point of attachment to the substrate, sessile, slightly compressed, slightly protruding above the surface;
- the edges of the caps are rounded or slightly wavy with a compaction in the form of a roller;
- the hymenophore is smooth, grayish in color with round cells.
The pulp is woody, light brown.
The spore-bearing layer is dense and consists of layered tubes
Where and how does it grow
The perennial false tinder fungus Lundell is distributed throughout the Russian Plain, the main accumulation being the mixed forests of Siberia, the Far East, and the Urals. Not found in warm climates. It grows mainly on birch, less often on alder. It exists in symbiosis with living weakened trees or settles on dead wood. A typical mountain taiga representative that cannot tolerate human intervention. Prefers damp places with close proximity to moss.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
The fibrous solid structure of the fruit body is not suitable for culinary processing. The Lundella tinder fungus is inedible.
Doubles and their differences
Phellinus looks similar to the smoothed tinder fungus. This is an inedible species, widespread in all climatic zones where deciduous trees are found. Not tied to a specific breed. The fruiting bodies are round, tightly adjacent to the substrate. Over time, they grow together, creating a long, shapeless formation. The surface is lumpy, dark chestnut or gray with a steel tint.
The edges of adult specimens are slightly raised
Conclusion
False tinder fungus Lundell is a mushroom with a long-term life cycle that creates symbiosis mainly with birch. Distributed in the mountain taiga massifs of Siberia and the Urals. Due to the hard structure of the pulp, it has no nutritional value.
