Content
The cinnabar red polypore is attributed by scientists to the Polyporovye family. The second name of the mushroom is cinnabar-red pycnoporus. In Latin, the fruiting bodies are called Pycnoporus cinnabarinus.
The view has a very catchy color
Tinder fungi include species of fungi that develop on wood. It is very rare to find it on the soil.
Description of cinnabar tinder fungus
The fungus has a sessile hoof-shaped fruiting body. Sometimes it is round. The diameter of the fungus is 6-12 cm, the thickness is about 2 cm. The color of the tinder fungus changes during its growth. Young specimens are colored in a cinnabar-red hue, then they fade and acquire an ocher or light carrot tone. The pores are permanently cinnabar red. The fruit is adherent, the flesh is red, with a cork structure. The upper surface of the mushroom is velvety. Cinnabar-red pycnoporus belongs to annual mushrooms, but can persist for a long time on the tree. The mushroom owes its color to the cinnabarin dye of a similar shade, which, according to the researchers, has antiviral and antimicrobial effects.
The spores of the species are tubular, medium size, white powder.
Inhabits weakened or dead trees
Where and how it grows
The red polypore is considered a cosmopolitan. He has a wide growing area. In Russia, it is found in any region. Only the tropical climate is not suitable for the mushroom, there are no such regions in the Russian Federation. Therefore, tinder fungus is found throughout the territory from the European part of the country to the regions of the Far East.
Mushrooms grow in groups in random order
Pycnoporus grows on dead or weakened trees. It can be found on branches, trunks, stumps. Prefers deciduous trees - birch, mountain ash, aspen, cherry, poplar. As a rare exception, red tinder fungus can settle on needles. Fungi cause the development of white rot, but it does not penetrate deep into the wood.
Fruiting from late May to November. Fruit bodies on trees are preserved during the winter.
Fruit bodies look like a bright spot among white snow.
How fruiting bodies grow is shown in the video:
Is the mushroom edible or not
Belongs to the inedible group, the species is not eaten. No poisonous substances were found in its composition, but the rigidity of the fruiting bodies does not allow preparing a single edible dish from them.
Doubles and their differences
The color of the fruit body is so unique that it is almost impossible to confuse it with any other species. But still, there are slightly similar instances. In the Far East, there is a similar pycnoporus - blood-red (Pycnoporus sanguineus). His fruiting bodies are much smaller and more intensely colored. Therefore, mushroom pickers, due to inexperience, can confuse species.
The small size of the fruiting body clearly distinguishes blood-red tinder fungus from cinnabar red
Another species that has an external resemblance to cinnabar red is Pycnoporellus fulgens. Its cap is orange in color; there is a species on the wood of spruces.These characteristics make it possible to avoid confusion between species.
The species grows on spruce wood, in contrast to the cinnabar-red tinder fungus
The common liverwort (Fistulina hepatica) has a slight external similarity. It is an edible pycnoporus from the Fistulin family. This mushroom has a smooth, shiny cap surface. The flesh is thick and fleshy. It prefers to settle on oak or chestnut trunks, the fruiting season is the end of summer.
Many people gladly include the liverwort in their diet.
The use of cinnabar red tinder fungus in industry
While developing, the fungus destroys the lignin contained in the wood. This process takes place with the help of enzymes that are used in the paper industry - laccase. Therefore, the type is called technical and is used in the production of cellulose from industrial waste. Laccase makes plant cells woody.
Conclusion
Cinnabar red tinder is not very common. Examining the external description will help you avoid confusing the mushroom with the edible species of the family.
