Contents
In deciduous forests, white, loose protrusions or outgrowths can be observed on trees. This is a fissile aurantiporus – a tinder, porous fungus, which is classified as a plant pathogen that parasitizes organisms. It belongs to the Polypore family, the genus is Aurantiporus. The Latin name of the species is Aurantiporus fissilis.
What does splitting aurantiporus look like?
Its fruiting body is large, full-weight, tightly seated on wood. Sizes can reach up to 20 cm in diameter. The shape is semicircular, looks like a hoof, almost flat, the top is raised. Some specimens look like a sponge.
The surface of the fruiting body is slightly pubescent, becoming completely smooth and tuberous with time. One edge is attached to the tree trunk.
The edges are smooth, occasionally wavy. In dry weather, they can rise up.
The color of the tinder fungus is white, with a slight pink tinge. Over time, old specimens turn yellow.
The pulp is fleshy, fibrous, light or slightly brown, filled with moisture. There are specimens with slightly pink or purple flesh. In dry weather, it becomes hard, oily and sticky.
Tubes are long, thin, pink with a gray tinge, watery. They crumble easily when pressed.
Spores are oval or obovate, colorless. Spore powder is white.
Where and how to grow
Aurantiporus grows, splitting everywhere in the regions of Central and Northern Europe, found in Taiwan. It can be found on the trunks of deciduous, coniferous and even garden trees. It often bears fruit on the bark of an apple or oak tree. Causes white rot on wood.
There are single specimens and groups that encircle the trunk of living and dead trees with rings.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Splitting aurantiporus is not eaten. It belongs to the group of inedible mushrooms.
Twins and their differences
A similar twin is Fragrant Trametes. It has a pronounced anise aroma. The color of the double is gray or yellow. Refers to inedible species.
Spongipellis spongy has a larger, gray or brown fruiting body. In some specimens, a false leg can be observed. The lower edge of the basidiomas is densely pubescent. When pressed, the fruiting body becomes cherry, exudes a pleasant sweetish aroma. The species is rare and endangered. There is no edibility data.
Conclusion
Aurantiporus fissile is a plant pathogen that is distributed throughout almost the entire territory of Europe. The tinder fungus parasitizes on deciduous trees. It has a large semicircular fruiting body. It is not used for food.