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HomeSurvivalFireTinderTinder Fungus

False Tinder Fungus

Tinder Fungus is a type of fungus that holds a coal very well for a long period of time, and ignites easily. Actually, there are two types: "True" Tinder Fungus and False Tinder Fungus.

 

False Tinder Fungus grows on dead birch trees and looks like a typical shelf fungus. It is fairly easy to remove from the tree. Split it open and you will see that the inside is composed of fine vertical lines. It is this part that you light in order to hold a coal.

Here is a picture of False Tinder Fungus growing on a downed dead birch tree.

False Tinder Fungus grows on a tree in the orientation shown: The flat part is on the bottom.

 

  

This shows False Tinder Fungus smoldering (note the smoke coming from the small piece on the left).

The piece of False Tinder Fungus in his hand shows a flake of birch bark from where it was attached to the tree.

 

  

Well, not exactly a primitive living picture! But it shows the two types of Tinder Fungus.

The False Tinder Fungus is the stripy one on the left, and there's a small one underneath it, and some more small ones to the rear. The Tinder Funguses are the red-brown chunks with black on one side.

Leaving stuff out like this is also a good reminder of primitive skills, Nature, the Earth, and the like.  ...You come home from work, all stressed out from working in an office or on a machine all day, walk in, throw something together for supper, sit down to eat, and see the bowl of Tinder Fungus (or whatever). "Oh yeah, that's what's real, that's what it's all about".

  

Both of these funguses are fairly aromatic when burning, and are said to have medicinal properties. Tinder Fungus smells nicer that False Tinder Fungus. They could be used as incense!