Species details
Birch polypore
Fomitopsis betulina
Inedible
Photo: Filippo Ceragioli · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A white to pale brown kidney-shaped bracket found almost exclusively on birch.
Identification features
The underside is white and finely pored, margin rounded; young flesh is corky-soft, later hard.
Identification checklist
Check the entire fruitbody for identification. A white to pale brown kidney-shaped bracket found almost exclusively on birch. The underside is white and finely pored, margin rounded; young flesh is corky-soft, later hard. Typical habitat: On dead or dying birch trunks and branches.
How to separate similar species
Compare especially with these similar species: Fomes fomentarius. Check the combination of cap shape and colour, spore-bearing surface, stem, flesh changes and habitat. A single feature or photograph is not enough; if the key characters do not match the description, do not treat the identification as confirmed.
Habitat
On dead or dying birch trunks and branches.
Fruiting period
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December