Birch polypore
Fomitopsis betulina
Safety assessment
Inedible
Based on reviewed safety sources.
A pale, flat bracket with a white underside, almost always on birch. Long used for tea and tinder.
Identification
- A flat, grey-brown bracket with pale concentric zones.
- Grows almost exclusively on birch; causes white rot of the wood.
Lookalikes
These species can be confused
Baltic distribution
- Latvia
- 78
- Lithuania
- 317
- Estonia
- 712
- Global
- 180486
Occurrence records in GBIF — not a claim that the species is absent elsewhere.
Safety first. This information is an educational reference, not a confirmation of an edible mushroom. Identifying fungi is difficult and mistakes can be dangerous. Never eat a mushroom unless you are completely certain of its identity, and consult a certified mycologist.
