Fomes fomentarius: Difference between revisions
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==Ecology== |
==Ecology== |
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[[File:Fomes fomentarius 25616.jpg|thumb|left|Though initially parasitic, ''F. fomentarius'' continues to grow upon fallen trees.]] |
[[File:Fomes fomentarius 25616.jpg|thumb|left|Though initially parasitic, ''F. fomentarius'' continues to grow upon fallen trees.]] |
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''Fomes fomentarius'' is a stem decay [[plant pathogen]]. The mycelium penetrates the wood of trees through damaged bark or broken branches, causing rot in the host.<ref name="Schwarze61"/> It can grow on the bark wound, or even directly onto the bark of older or dead trees.<ref name="Butin">{{cite book |title= Tree Diseases and Disorders|author= Butin, Heinz; Lonsdale, D.|year= 1995|publisher= [[Oxford University Press]]|isbn= 9780198549321|pages= 167–8}}</ref> The decayed wood shows black lines in the lightly coloured decayed areas; these are known as pseudosclerotic layers or demarcation lines.<ref name="Schwarze61"/> The lines are caused [[enzyme]]s called |
''Fomes fomentarius'' is a stem decay [[plant pathogen]]. The mycelium penetrates the wood of trees through damaged bark or broken branches, causing rot in the host.<ref name="Schwarze61"/> It can grow on the bark wound, or even directly onto the bark of older or dead trees.<ref name="Butin">{{cite book |title= Tree Diseases and Disorders|author= Butin, Heinz; Lonsdale, D.|year= 1995|publisher= [[Oxford University Press]]|isbn= 9780198549321|pages= 167–8}}</ref> The decayed wood shows black lines in the lightly coloured decayed areas; these are known as pseudosclerotic layers or demarcation lines.<ref name="Schwarze61"/> The lines are caused by [[enzyme]]s called [[phenoloxidase]]s, converting either fungus or plant matter into [[melanin]]. The lines are not an absolute identifier, as they can also occur in plants infected by ''[[Ustulina deusta]]'' and some ''[[Armillaria]]'' species.<ref name="Schwarze61"/> Despite beginning as a parasite, the species is able to survive for a time (hastening [[decomposition]]) on felled trees as a [[saprotrophic]] feeder,<ref>Schmidt 2006, p. 200</ref> and typically lives there for years, until the log is completely destroyed.<ref name="Schwarze62"/> It is also a species capable of colonising and breaking down [[pollen]] grains, giving it a second food source which is particular high in [[nitrogen]].<ref name="Schwarze61"/> Infected trees become very brittle,<ref>Schwarze 2000, p. 26</ref> and cracks can occur in the affected tree due to wind. ''F. fomentarius'' is particularly adept at moving between cracks on the tree without interruption.<ref name="Schwarze62">Schwarze 2000, p. 62</ref> However, the species is known to be an [[endophyte]], meaning that healthy trees which are not sporting ''F. fomentarius'' fruit bodies could still be infected.<ref name="Stamets31"/> |
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The fruit bodies are [[perennial]], surviving for up to thirty years. The strongest growth period is between early summer and autumn.<ref name="Schmidt"/> The yearly growth always occurs on the bottom of the fungus, meaning that the lowest layer is the youngest. This occurs even if the host tree has been laid on the forest floor,<ref>Schmidt 2006, p. 25</ref> which can happen because of the [[white rot]] induced by the fungus. This is a process known as positive [[gravitropism]].<ref name="Schmidt75">Schmidt 2006, p. 75</ref> Very large numbers of spores are produced, particularly in spring, with up to 887 million [[basidiospores]] an hour being produced by some fruit bodies. Spore production also takes place in autumn, though not nearly as heavily.<ref name="Schwarze59"/> The spores are released at comparatively low temperatures.<ref>Schwarze 2000, p. 40</ref> In dry weather, the spores are visible as a white powder.<ref name="Butin"/> |
The fruit bodies are [[perennial]], surviving for up to thirty years. The strongest growth period is between early summer and autumn.<ref name="Schmidt"/> The yearly growth always occurs on the bottom of the fungus, meaning that the lowest layer is the youngest. This occurs even if the host tree has been laid on the forest floor,<ref>Schmidt 2006, p. 25</ref> which can happen because of the [[white rot]] induced by the fungus. This is a process known as positive [[gravitropism]].<ref name="Schmidt75">Schmidt 2006, p. 75</ref> Very large numbers of spores are produced, particularly in spring, with up to 887 million [[basidiospores]] an hour being produced by some fruit bodies. Spore production also takes place in autumn, though not nearly as heavily.<ref name="Schwarze59"/> The spores are released at comparatively low temperatures.<ref>Schwarze 2000, p. 40</ref> In dry weather, the spores are visible as a white powder.<ref name="Butin"/> |
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Revision as of 06:32, 19 September 2010
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| Species: | F. fomentarius
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| Fomes fomentarius (L.) J.J. Kickx
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Fomes fomentarius (commonly known as the Tinder Fungus, Hoof Fungus,[2] Tinder Polypore or "Ice Man Fungus"[3]) is a species of plant pathogen polypore found in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. The very large fruit bodies are shaped like a horse's hoof and vary in colour from a silvery grey to almost black, though are normally brown. The species grows on the side of various species of tree, which it infects through broken bark, causing rot. The species typically continues to live on trees long after they have died, changing from a parasite to a detrivore.
Though inedible, the species has traditionally seen use as the primary ingredient of amadou, a material used primarily as tinder, but also used to make clothing and other items. It also has medicinal and other uses. The species is both a pest and useful in timber production, and has been proposed as an ecological means to clean up areas infected with E. coli or Bacillus.
Taxonomy
The first scientific description of the fungus appeared in the literature in the 1753 Species Plantarum by Carl Linnaeus; he called it Boletus fomentarius.[4]
Description
Fomes fomentarius has a fruit body of between 5 and 45 centimetres (2.0 and 17.7 in) across, between 3 and 25 cm (1.2 and 9.8 in) wide and 2 and 25 cm (0.8 and 9.8 in) thick,[2] which attaches broadly to the tree on which the fungus is growing.[5] While typically shaped like a horse's hoof, it can also be more bracket-like with an umbonate attachment to the substrate.[5] The species typically has broad, concentric ridges, with a blunt and rounded margin.[5] The flesh is hard and fibrous, and a cinnamon brown colour.[2] The upper surface is tough, bumpy,[5] hard and woody,[2] varying in colour, usually a light brown or grey. The margin is whitish during periods of growth.[5] The hard crust is from 1 to 2 mm (0.04 to 0.08 in) thick, and covers the tough yellow-brown trama.[6] The underside has round pores of a cream colour when new, maturing to brown,[5] though they darken when handled.[2] The pores are circular, and there are 2–3 per millimetre. The tubes are 2 to 7 mm (0.08 to 0.28 in) long and a rusty brown colour.[2]
The colouration and size of the fruit body can vary based on where the specimen has grown. Silvery-white, greyish and nearly black specimens have been known. The darkest fruit bodies were sometimes classified as Fomes nigricans. The colour is typically lighter at lower latitudes, altitudes and on fruit-bodies growing on the south side of trees, but studies have concluded no reliable way to differentiate varieties; instead, the phenotypic differences can "be attributed either to different ecotypes or to interactions between the genotype and its environment".[7]
Microscopic features
The spores are lemon-yellow in colour, and oblong-ellipsoid in shape. They measure 15–20 by 5–7 μm. The species has a trimitic hyphal structure (meaning that it has generative, skeletal and binding hyphae), with generative hyphae (hyphae that are relatively undifferentiated and can develop reproductive structures) with clamp connections.[2]
Similar species
Fomes fomentarius can easily be confused with Phellinus igniarius, species from the genus Ganoderma and Fomitopsis pinicola. An easy way to differentiate F. fomentarius is by adding a small piece of the fruit body from the upper surface into a drop of potassium hydroxide. The solution will turn a dark blood red if the specimen is F. fomentarius, due to the presence of the chemical fomentariol.[8]
Habitat and distribution
F. fomentarius has a circumboreal distribution, being found in both northern and southern Africa, throughout Asia and into eastern North America,[9] and throughout Europe.[7] The optimal temperature for the species's growth is between 27 and 30 °C (81 and 86 °F) and the maximum is between 34 and 38 °C (93 and 100 °F).[10] F. fomentarius typically grows alone, but multiple fruit bodies can sometimes be found upon the same host trunk.[2] The species most typically grows upon hardwoods. In northern areas, it is most common on birch, while, in the south, beech is more typical.[9] In the Mediterranean, oak is the typical host.[7] The species has also been known to grow upon maple,[7] cherry, hickory,[3] lime tree, poplar, willow, alder, hornbeam,[9] sycamore,[2] and even, exceptionally, softwoods,[9] such as conifers.[7]
Ecology
Fomes fomentarius is a stem decay plant pathogen. The mycelium penetrates the wood of trees through damaged bark or broken branches, causing rot in the host.[8] It can grow on the bark wound, or even directly onto the bark of older or dead trees.[6] The decayed wood shows black lines in the lightly coloured decayed areas; these are known as pseudosclerotic layers or demarcation lines.[8] The lines are caused by enzymes called phenoloxidases, converting either fungus or plant matter into melanin. The lines are not an absolute identifier, as they can also occur in plants infected by Ustulina deusta and some Armillaria species.[8] Despite beginning as a parasite, the species is able to survive for a time (hastening decomposition) on felled trees as a saprotrophic feeder,[11] and typically lives there for years, until the log is completely destroyed.[12] It is also a species capable of colonising and breaking down pollen grains, giving it a second food source which is particular high in nitrogen.[8] Infected trees become very brittle,[13] and cracks can occur in the affected tree due to wind. F. fomentarius is particularly adept at moving between cracks on the tree without interruption.[12] However, the species is known to be an endophyte, meaning that healthy trees which are not sporting F. fomentarius fruit bodies could still be infected.[3]
The fruit bodies are perennial, surviving for up to thirty years. The strongest growth period is between early summer and autumn.[9] The yearly growth always occurs on the bottom of the fungus, meaning that the lowest layer is the youngest. This occurs even if the host tree has been laid on the forest floor,[14] which can happen because of the white rot induced by the fungus. This is a process known as positive gravitropism.[15] Very large numbers of spores are produced, particularly in spring, with up to 887 million basidiospores an hour being produced by some fruit bodies. Spore production also takes place in autumn, though not nearly as heavily.[7] The spores are released at comparatively low temperatures.[16] In dry weather, the spores are visible as a white powder.[6]
Uses and importance
The species is not considered edible;[5][2] the flesh has an acrid taste, with a slightly fruity smell.[2] The fungus has economic significance as it destroys the timber value of any trees infected with beech bark disease which it infects. However, as it is too weakly parasitic to infect healthy trees, and so can be regarded merely as an aspect of the ecosystem, with the important and useful role of decomposing unusable timber.[6] F. fomentarius has been recommended as a possible means of decontaminating sites infected with E. coli and Bacillus species, in addition to several fungal species.[17]
Amadou
The species is well known for its uses in making fire. The species, as well as others, such as Phellinus igniarius, can be used to made amadou, a tinder.[18] Amadou is produced from the trama;[9] the young fruit bodies are soaked in water before being cut into strips, and are then beaten and stretched, separating the fibres. The resulting material is referred to as "red amadou".[18] The addition of gunpowder, salpetre or nitre produced an even more potent tinder.[18][9] The trama was further used to produce caps, gloves and breeches.[8] Amadou was also used medically (by dentists who used it to dry teeth and surgeons who used it as a styptic) and is still used today in fly fishing, to dry the flies.[19] Other items of clothing and even picture frames and ornaments have been known to be made from the fungus in Europe, particularly Bohemia.[20] The fungus is known to have been used as a firestarter in Hedeby,[9] but it is known that the fungus was used as early as 3,000 BCE; when found, the 5000 year-old Ötzi the Iceman was carrying four pieces of F. fomentarius fruit body.[21] It has been concluded from chemical tests that it was being carried for use as tinder.[22]
References
- ^ "Fomes fomentarius (L.) J. Kickx f." Species Fungorum. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Phillips, Roger (1981). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of Great Britain and Europe. London: Pan Books. p. 262. ISBN 0330264419.
- ^ a b c Stamets 2005, p. 31
- ^ Linnaeus C. (1753). Species Plantarum (in Latin). Vol. 2. Stockholm: Impensis Laurentii Salvii. p. 1176. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sterry, Paul; Hughes, Barry (2009). Complete Guide to British Mushrooms & Toadstools. HarperCollins. p. 256. ISBN 9780007232246.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d Butin, Heinz; Lonsdale, D. (1995). Tree Diseases and Disorders. Oxford University Press. pp. 167–8. ISBN 9780198549321.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e f Schwarze 2000, p. 59
- ^ a b c d e f Schwarze 2000, p. 61
- ^ a b c d e f g h Schmidt 2006, p. 195
- ^ Schmidt 2006, p. 68
- ^ Schmidt 2006, p. 200
- ^ a b Schwarze 2000, p. 62
- ^ Schwarze 2000, p. 26
- ^ Schmidt 2006, p. 25
- ^ Schmidt 2006, p. 75
- ^ Schwarze 2000, p. 40
- ^ Stamets 2005, p. 109
- ^ a b c Harding 2008, pp. 159–60
- ^ Harding 2008, p. 159
- ^ Rolfe, Robert Thatcher; Rolfe, F. W. (1974). The Romance of the Fungus World. Courier Dover. p. 164. ISBN 9780486231051.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Harding 2008, p. 157
- ^ Spindler, Konrad (1995). Der Mann im Eis. Springer. p. 75. ISBN 9783211826263.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help)
Cited texts
- Harding, Patrick (2008). Mushroom Miscellany. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780007284641.
- Schmidt, Olaf (2006). Wood and Tree Fungi: Biology, Damage, Protection, and Use. Springer. ISBN 9783540321385.
- Schwarze, Francis W. M. R.; Engels, Julia; Mattheck, Claus (2000). Fungal Strategies of Wood Decay in Trees. Springer. ISBN 9783540672050.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Stamets, Paul (2005). Mycelium Running. Ten Speed Press. ISBN 9781580085793.
External links
