tinderfungus

Tinder fungus, also known as true tinder fungus or amadou, refers to certain species of polypore fungi belonging to the genus Fomes, particularly Fomes fomentarius. These fungi are characterized by their perennial, woody fruiting bodies, often hoof-shaped and ranging in color from gray to brown. They grow on living or dead trees, primarily hardwoods, and are known for their tough, leathery texture.

Historically, the inner layer of the tinder fungus's fruiting body has been processed to create amadou, a material used as tinder for starting fires. The fibrous inner layer is pounded and treated to make it highly flammable, allowing it to catch a spark from flint and steel or other ignition sources. This property made tinder fungus an essential tool for fire-making before the widespread availability of modern matches.

Beyond its use in fire-starting, tinder fungus has also been employed in other applications. Indigenous peoples have utilized it for various purposes, including as a material for clothing, in traditional medicine, and for insect repellent. The fungus is a facultative parasite, meaning it can infect living trees but also thrives on dead wood, contributing to decomposition processes in forest ecosystems. Its widespread distribution across temperate and boreal regions makes it a common sight on trees in these environments.