It is used as tinder for Fire Pistons or as a medium to catch a spark from a Flint & Steel. Entomologists use the fungus to mount the insects. My go-to fungus book is Mushrooms by Roger Phillips; I also refer to Collins Fungi Guide by Stefan Buczaki et al and also Collins Complete Guide to Mushrooms and Toadstools by Paul Sterry and Barry Hughes. It can also be used to carry a red hot ember from a fire long distances by lighting the tinder fungus and allowing it to smoulder. You'll find this crusty, black growth primarily on yellow birch and white birch trees, often at higher elevations. The last name is attributed to the discovery of a 5,000 old mummy preserved in ice, which among its objects had this type of fungus as part of its “fire-making attire”, hence its use in helping starting a fire. Tinder conk mushrooms growing in the Mediterranean region typically choose oak … The tinder fungus Fomes fomentarius is now only found in remote locations in Switzerland. In the southern areas, tinder conk mushroom more commonly grows on beech trees. Fomes fomentarius is a fungus whose perennial, woody fruiting body is often shaped like a horse’s hoof, hence one of its common names, hoof fungus.Fomes fomentarius also goes by the names Tinder Conk, Tinder Fungus, Tinder Polypore and Ice Man Fungus.It grows wild throughout northern North America and parts of Eurasia, as well as in the cooler areas of Africa. Uses of Tinder Fungus: What is Tinder Fungus used for? Tinder Fungus, or more properly Amadou (pronounced (am-ah-dew”) or Chaga (pronounced “chaw-ga”) is a fungus that grows mainly on Birch trees (especially White Birch). There is writing about this fungus dating back to 1753-Species Plantarum by Carl L. Within in which this species is depicted as a member of numerous different genera. Birch tinder fungus ( Inonotus obliquus ) is a woody type of fungus that grows on a variety of species of birch trees. Then wrap it in something to keep the air off it while you carry it. This Tinder Conk Mushroom fungus grows on hardwoods. In Hokkaido and a few other areas, the fleshy part of the fungus is burned overnight in a ritual to clear evil spirits. Historically, the fungus was utilized for the production and processing of tinder, although it was also used for cloth manufacture and for medicinal purposes. Tinder Fungus: Tinder Fungus refers to a number of species of fungi that catch and hold coals very well. They are used for holding a coal for an extended period of time, so as to not have to go through the effort of restarting a fire. In the northern regions, this mushroom often grows on birch trees. To catch and carry a coal for fire (as tinder and coal extender): To carry a coal, set the piece of Tinder Fungus or False Tinder Fungus smouldering. And if you're looking for something raw from the … They all use ‘tinder fungus’ as a common name for Fomes fomntarius but many bushcrafters use the name to refer to Inonotus obliquus. Formerly, it was an aggressive decay fungus, which attacked mostly Fagus sylvatica. Some of the common names are tinder fungus, hoof fungus (because of its appearance) or ice man fungus. Simply pry off a chunk of the smoldering Tinder Fungus and use it to light some tinder and remake your fire.