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The flat tinder fungus (Ganoderma applanatum or lipsiense), also called the artist’s mushroom, belongs to the Polypore family and the genus Ganoderm. This is a classic example of a perennial tree fungus.
Scientific names given to the fruiting body by various mycologists:
- first described and classified as Boletus applanatus by Christian Person in 1799;
- Polyporus applanatus, 1833 г;
- Fomes applanatus, 1849;
- Placodes applanatus, 1886;
- Phaeoporus applanatus, 1888;
- Elfvingia applanata, 1889 г;
- Ganoderma leucophaeum, 1889 г;
- Ganoderma flabelliforme Murrill, 1903 г;
- Ganoderma megaloma, 1912;
- Ganoderma incrassatum, 1915 г;
- Friesia applanata, 1916;
- Friesian vegeta, 1916 g;
- Ganoderma gelsicola, 1916 г.
The mushroom has been growing in one place for many years, reaching gigantic sizes.
Description of flat tinder
The mushroom cap is fleshy, sessile, adheres to the substrate with its flat side. Spread-rounded, tongue-shaped or petal-shaped, hoof-shaped or disc-shaped. The surface is usually flat, with straight or raised edges. It has concentric scars-stripes diverging from the place of growth, it can be slightly folded, wavy. Reaches 40-70 cm in diameter and up to 15 cm thick at the base.
The surface is dense, matte, slightly rough. The color can be different: from gray-silver and cream-beige to chocolate and brown-black. Sometimes overgrown mushrooms take on bright burgundy-red hues. The leg is missing even in its infancy.
The spores are rusty-brown, often covering the top of the fungus with a kind of powder coating. The edge is rounded, thin in young specimens, white. The spongy undersurface is white, creamy silver or light beige. The slightest pressure causes darkening to a gray-brown color.
Fruiting bodies are located in small close groups, forming a kind of canopy
Where and how to grow
The flat fungus is common in temperate and northern latitudes: in Our Country, the Far East, Europe and North America. Active growth begins in May and continues until September. You can see the mushroom at any time of the year, even in winter frosts, if you remove the snow from the tree.
This tree parasite settles mainly on deciduous species. It can choose both a live damaged tree and deadwood, stumps, fallen trees and fallen trunks.
The flat tinder fungus does not climb high, it usually settles at the very roots or in the lower part of the tree
Twins and their differences
The unique appearance and stunning size eliminate confusion in the definition of a flat tinder fungus. There are some similarities with several species.
Trutovik varnished. Inedible. Differs in a wax hat and smaller sizes.
Polypore lacquer is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine.
Trutovik southern. Inedible, non-toxic. Differs in the large sizes and a glossy surface.
Its edge, unlike the flat tinder fungus, is gray-brown
Is the mushroom edible or not?
The flat tinder fungus (Ganoderma applanatum) is classified as an inedible mushroom. It has a hard, cork-like flesh that has neither taste nor smell, which reduces its culinary value.
Medicinal properties of flat tinder fungus
Being essentially a parasite that destroys trees, the flat tinder fungus is widely used in folk medicine in a number of countries. It is especially valued in China. Its useful properties:
- boosts immunity and fights viral diseases;
- normalizes pressure, reduces the level of acidity in the digestive tract;
- relieves inflammatory processes in the joints and internal organs, having a beneficial effect on rheumatic pains, asthma, bronchitis;
- normalizes blood sugar and promotes insulin production;
- improves the state of the nervous system, has an anti-allergic effect;
- is a good tool for the prevention of cancer, neoplasms, it is also useful to take it as part of the complex treatment of tumors.
The use of flat tinder fungus in traditional medicine
Alcohol tinctures, decoctions, powders, extracts are made from Ganoderma oblate. It is used for pulmonary diseases, diabetes, inflammatory processes and oncology. To increase immunity and improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, healthy tea is prepared from the fruiting body.
The collected fruit bodies must be dried at a temperature of 50-70 degrees, ground into powder. Store in a dry sealed container out of direct sunlight. Flat tinder tea (Ganoderma applanatum)
Necessary ingredients:
- mushroom powder – 4 tbsp. l.;
- water – 0,7 l.
Pour the powder with water, bring to a boil and cook over low heat for 5-10 minutes. Pour into a thermos, close and leave for half a day. Tea can be taken 3 times a day, 40-60 minutes before meals, 2 tbsp. l. The course of treatment is 21 days, after which a week-long break should be taken.
This tea is effective for removing toxic substances from the body and stimulating the digestive system.
A few interesting facts
This fruiting body has several unique features:
- The cut flat tinder fungus applied to the wound promotes rapid healing and tissue regeneration.
- The tinder fungus flat for several years can reach enormous sizes, while the light surface of the geminophore remains rounded-smooth and smooth.
- On the body of an old fungus, young flat tinder fungi can sprout, creating bizarre designs.
- On the inner porous surface of large specimens, craftsmen create stunning paintings. To do this, a match, a thin stick or a rod is enough.
Conclusion
The flat fungus is a mushroom that is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere. It has healing properties and is used in Chinese traditional medicine. There are references to treatment with it in ancient Greek sources, in particular, the healer Dioscorides recommended it as an excellent remedy for cleansing the body and nervous disorders. You can find it in deciduous forests, on lying trunks, stumps and deadwood. It is unsuitable for food due to the hard, tasteless pulp. He has no poisonous counterparts. Some types of tinder fungus have common features, but it is difficult to confuse them.
