Shivering, he tried again to light his fire. Drying out and getting warm were the only things on his mind, but the shaking in his hands made lighting the match difficult, and the wind kept blowing it out before he could get it to the fire.
Just when he was about to give up, he remembered he had something new in his fire kit. Starting a fire with a mushroom had sounded weird at first, but his friend was so enthusiastic about the find he couldn’t refuse, as the dried-out fungus had been pushed into his hands.
The next time, instead of trying to light the stacked wood, he held the match close to the mushroom. At first, it didn’t seem like it had worked, and he was starting to feel foolish, but soon the smell of roasting mushrooms hit his nose. After another minute, tiny tendrils of smoke wafted up from the pores, and he could feel heat in his hands.
Dry leaves crackled as the smoldering mushroom was pressed against them. Unlike the matches, the wind did nothing to hinder the ember inside the Tinder Polypore. Flames took hold of the leaves, and with some encouragement, spread through the other tinder and into the wood. Finally, he basked in the warmth of his fire.
Although its common name describes its fire-starting capabilities, the Tinder Polypore, also known as Horse Hoof Fungus or Fomes Fomentarius, actually has several uses. Otzi the Iceman carried chunks of it with him, with his fire-starting tools, indicating that simplifying fire-starting was likely his purpose.
It’s also possible that he carried it for its medicinal properties, as Tinder Polypore has long been known for having antibiotic and antiviral properties.
A soft, fibrous layer, situated between the hard outer shell and the porous section, is useful for creating impromptu bandages when out and about. It seals well and helps stop bleeding. When processed correctly, this layer becomes a leather-like material called Amadou. Hats made from amadou are a popular use for it.
Parasitic in nature, signs of this polypore indicate that the hardwood tree it’s growing on is damaged and possibly dying. Fresh damage is not conducive to the mycelium’s growth, and once it does take hold, years will pass before fruiting begins. Due to the slow growth and high popularity, Tinder Polypores are becoming increasingly rare. As such, it is wise to consider leaving some behind to propagate if you come across it in the wild.
[…] grinding up the softer interior and adding water. This can be used in a pinch for sealing wounds. Tinder polypores enable one to carry an ember from one campsite to another, making it easier to start fires on the […]