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Tinder fungus Gartiga is a tree fungus of the Gimenochete family. Belongs to the category of perennial species. It got its name in honor of the German botanist Robert Gartig, who first discovered and described it. It is considered one of the most dangerous parasitic fungi that destroys living wood. In mycological reference books, it is listed as Phellinus hartigii.
Description of tinder Gartig
This species has a non-standard shape of the fruiting body, since it consists only of a cap. The mushroom is large in size, its diameter can reach 25-28 cm, and its thickness is about 20 cm.
At the initial stage of growth, the Gartigi tinder fungus is nodular, but with many years of development it gradually becomes hoof-like or cantilever.
The surface of the cap is rough and hard. Wide stepped zones are clearly distinguished on it. In young specimens, the color is yellow-brown, and subsequently it changes to dirty gray or black. In mature mushrooms, the surface of the fruit body often cracks and green moss develops in the resulting gaps. The edge of the fruiting body is rounded. Its shade can range from red to ocher brown.
When broken, you can see a hard woody pulp with a glossy sheen. Its shade is yellowish brown, sometimes rusty. The pulp is odorless.
The hymenophore in this species is tubular, while the pores are arranged in several layers and separated from each other by sterile layers. Their shape can be round or angular. The spore-bearing layer is brown with a yellow or rusty tint.
The fruit bodies of Gartig's tinder fungus appear in the lower part of the trunk on the north side.
Where and how it grows
This species can be found in mixed and coniferous plantings. Grows on live wood, dry and tall stumps. This is a parasitic fungus that affects especially conifers, but most often fir. Grows singly, but in rare cases in a small group. Subsequently, the mushrooms grow together, forming a single whole.
Tinder Gartig is not one of the common mushrooms. It can be found in Sakhalin, the Far East, on both sides of the Ural Mountains up to Kaliningrad, in the Caucasus. In the central part of Russia, it practically does not occur, only in the Leningrad region cases of its appearance were recorded.
It can also be found in:
- North America;
- Asia;
- North Africa;
- Europe.
How does Gartig's tinder fungus affect trees
Gartig's polypore promotes the development of a pale yellow rot that destroys wood. In places of lesion, narrow black lines can be seen, which differentiate diseased from healthy areas.
Most often, this species parasitizes on fir. Infection occurs through other plants, cracks in the bark and broken off branches. Initially, in the affected areas, the wood becomes soft, fibrous.In addition, brown tinder fungus mycelium accumulates under the bark, and branches rot on the surface, which is also the main feature. With further development, depressed areas appear on the trunk, where, as a result, fungi germinate.
In fir plantations, the affected trees are located singly. In case of mass infection, the number of diseased fir trees can be 40%. As a result, their immunity weakens and their resistance to the effects of stem pests decreases.
Is the mushroom edible or not
Tinder Gartig is inedible. You cannot eat it in any form. Although it is unlikely that the external signs and cork consistency of the pulp can make anyone want to try this mushroom.
Doubles and their differences
In appearance, this species is in many ways similar to its close relative, the false oak tinder fungus, which also belongs to the Gimenochete family. But in the latter, the fruit body is much smaller - from 5 to 20 cm. Initially, this tree fungus looks like an enlarged bud, and then takes the shape of a ball, which creates the impression of an influx on the bark.
The tubular layer of the oak tinder fungus is rounded-convex, layered with small pores. Its shade is brownish-rusty. The fruiting body consists of a cap that grows to the tree with a wide side. It has irregularities and grooves, and as a result of many years of growth, deep cracks may appear on it. The twin is gray-brown, but closer to the edge the color changes to rusty-brown. This species is classified as inedible, its official name is Fomitiporia robusta.
False oak polypore activates the development of white rot
Conclusion
Tinder Gartig is of no value to mushroom pickers, so they bypass him. And for ecologists, it is the main symptom of a whole disaster. After all, this species grows deep into healthy wood and makes it unsuitable for further processing. Moreover, the mushroom, due to its long-term lifestyle, can carry out destructive work until the diseased tree completely dies.
