Birch polypore

Fomitopsis betulina

Birch polypore is a type of bracket fungus that primarily grows on birch trees. These fungi are ecologically significant because they decompose dead wood, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. Birch polypores help break down the tough lignin and cellulose in wood, making it easier for other organisms to access the nutrients locked inside [1].

Birch polypore fruiting bodies are thick, hoof-shaped, and pale brown to white in color. The upper surface is smooth, while the underside is porous, with numerous tiny tubes. The shelves are corky and tough, persisting through the seasons as the fungus decomposes the wood underneath [1][2].

As a decomposer, Fomitopsis betulina specializes in breaking down cellulose and lignin found in birch wood. This accelerates the release of nutrients back into the soil, which can be used by new plant growth. The birch polypore thus plays a crucial role in the natural regeneration cycle of birch forests, facilitating both decay and new life [3].

Birch polypore is considered a recycler and an indicator species. Its presence indicates active decomposition and the transformation of deadwood into fertile soil. As birch stands age and die back, the fungus helps return their nutrients to the ecosystem, enriching the habitat for future generations. In this way, Fomitopsis betulina symbolizes the ongoing renewal of birch forests, ensuring the continuation of both the soil and the life that depends on it [3].

[1] CABI Bioscience. IMI Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria: Fomitopsis betulina (IMI No. 2294). Wallingford: CAB International, 2019. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/pdf/10.5555/20210499498

[2] MushroomExpert.com. “Fomitopsis betulina — MushroomExpert.com.” https://www.mushroomexpert.com/fomitopsis_betulina.html

[3] Ul Haq, Irshad, Benjamin Hillmann, Molly Moran, Samuel Willard, Dan Knights, Kathryn R. Fixen, and Jonathan S. Schilling. “Bacterial Communities Associated with Wood Rot Fungi That Use Distinct Decomposition Mechanisms.” ISME Communications 2, no. 1 (2022): 26. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43705-022-00108-5