Content
Trametes hirsuta is a tree mushroom of the Polyporaceae family, belonging to the genus Polypores. Its other names:
- Boletus is rough;
- Polyporus rough;
- The sponge is coarse-haired;
- The tinder fungus is coarse-haired.
Although the mushroom is an annual, in mild winters it can survive until the next season.
Trametes colifolia in autumn deciduous forest
What does coarse-haired trametes look like?
Trametes coliformus usually grows to the substrate with its side part. In rare cases, on horizontal surfaces the cap has an outstretched shape.The newly emerged fruiting bodies are shell-shaped, with jagged edges. As it grows, the cap straightens out, its flat side surface completely touching the substrate, the edges become smooth, slightly wavy. Its diameter ranges from 3 to 15 cm, thickness ranges from 0.3 to 2 cm.
The surface is flat and has distinct concentric stripes of varying widths. Dense, covered with hard long fibers. The color is uneven, striped, in various shades of light gray. The pubescence can be snow-white, grayish, yellowish-cream, greenish. The edge of the cap is light brown, pubescent. The leg is missing.
The lower part is spongy, the pores are quite large, with elastic, dense septa, which become thinner and more fragile with age. The color is beige-reddish, white-gray, shades of baked milk or milk chocolate. The surface is uneven, covered with hard white-silver fibers.
The pulp is thin, consisting of two distinct layers: a grayish, fibrous-soft upper layer and a light woody lower layer.
Young shoots of the tinder fungus look like a scattering of intricately cut petals
Where and how does it grow
Widely distributed in deciduous and mixed forests, parks and gardens of temperate climate zones of Russia, Europe, and North America. It prefers dead wood of deciduous species, and occasionally settles on coniferous trees. It lives on dead wood, old stumps, and fallen trunks. It also grows on still living, weakened, dying trees, preferring the following species:
- bird cherry and rowan;
- pear, apple tree;
- poplar, aspen;
- oak and beech.
The period of active growth of the mycelium begins in May and continues until September-October. The coarse-haired tramethes is not picky about weather conditions and loves moist, shaded places. Settles singly and in dense groups, forming roof-shaped growths.
Sometimes coarse-haired tramethes can be found on rotten fences and various wooden buildings
Is the mushroom edible or not?
The coarse tramethes is classified as an inedible species due to its low nutritional value and tough, tasteless pulp. No toxic substances were found in its composition. It is actively used in the textile, food and cosmetics industries due to the substance it contains – laccase.
These beautiful specimens are not suitable as a snack.
Doubles and their differences
At a quick glance, Trametes coarse-haired can be confused with some hairy species of polypores. However, a detailed examination reveals significant differences. No poisonous counterparts were found in this fruiting body.
Trametes is fluffy. Inedible, does not contain toxic substances. It is distinguished by a yellowish or white color, a fleshy lower spongy part running down the surface of the tree, and angular pores.
This fruiting body is very popular with larvae and insects, who quickly eat it
Cerrena is monochromatic. Inedible. It has a pronounced black stripe on the flesh and different-sized, less elongated pores.
The snow-white edge and the color of the pile make the monochromatic cerrena special
Lenzites birch. Inedible. Its main difference is the lamellar structure of the geminophore.
In young specimens, the inner side resembles a labyrinth in structure
Conclusion
Trametes coarse-haired is widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere in zones with a temperate northern climate. Benefits forests by converting rotting tree remains into fertile soil. Its appearance is quite original, so it is difficult to confuse it with other species. Inedible, does not contain toxic substances. You can meet it at any time of the year, with peak growth occurring in the summer. Trametes coarse-haired can feel comfortable on seams of brown coal, extracting nutrients from it.
