What does the birch mushroom chaga look like and what is its description (+24 photos)?

Chaga, or birch fungus, is a sterile form of the tinder fungus. It most commonly grows on birch trees, hence its name. Rarely, it can be found on other trees, such as rowan, maple, or alder.

The sterile form of the mushroom is widely used in medicine as an antineoplastic and antigastritis remedy. Chaga mushrooms have a distinctive appearance, so by reading the description and looking at a photo, you can easily identify them growing on a tree.

Characteristic features of the variety

The tinder fungus is a parasitic fungus. It grows on trees where the bark is damaged. Slowly burrowing into the trunk and tearing apart the bark, the tinder fungus can survive for about 20 years.

Appearance and photo

Inonotus obliquus appears as a shapeless, hard growth. As can be seen in the photo, the outside of the fungus is black or willow-brown, with a cracked, bumpy surface.

The insides of the sterile form consist of two layers: a rough, dense middle layer and an internal brown-red one.

Morphology

There are a number of species characteristics that distinguish Inonotus obliquus from other polypores. The main distinguishing feature is the irregularly rounded shape of the growth, with a pitted surface. Its exterior is covered with numerous tubercles and grooves. The body can reach half a meter in diameter and 10-15 cm in thickness.

The interior of the tree fungus is not uniform, and only the dense middle layer is beneficial. When the affected tree dies, the tinder fungus also begins to die, and an inedible sporocarp emerges from the opposite side of the tree, releasing spores into the air.

Distribution area of ​​chaga

This wood-boring fungus grows in central and northeastern Europe, the Korean Peninsula, the United States, and Russia. In Russia, it can be found in temperate forests. It primarily parasitizes old, damaged birch trees, but can also occasionally grow on other trees belonging to the Betulaceae, Salindaceae, Maple, Elm, Beech, and Rosaceae families.

Rules and places for collecting birch mushroom

Inonotus can be harvested at any time of year. Many prefer to gather the material in spring and fall, when the foliage reveals the fungal growths. Furthermore, the mushroom absorbs the most beneficial elements in fall and spring. It's best to gather the material away from roads and factories; birch groves are the best place to collect chaga, as they can be found in large quantities.

Growths that form on isolated trees in cities and parks are less useful. Avoid collecting inonotus from dead trees; such material has no medicinal value. Growths that form close to the ground are old and unhealthy. Most often they are loose, black and crumble easily.

Separating the growths from the trunk isn't easy, so it's essential to have a small hatchet with you. A ladder or stepladder can also be helpful. This will allow you to reach the most valuable mushrooms, located high above the ground.

The growth should be cut vertically, as close to the trunk as possible. The tree bark and the inner part of the cut growth should be removed immediately. You can also cut the tinder fungus into pieces. Fresh chaga does not store well; it must be dried naturally.

Distinction from false mushrooms

Distinguishing chaga from other mushrooms is not difficult; with the help of photos, we will examine the characteristics of the chaga mushroom and other non-medicinal species.

Chaga is not a fruiting body; its outer part resembles a knobby growth. It is hard to the touch, dark in color, and covered in cracks. The mushroom can take a variety of forms, often extending along a deep crack in a tree. Some growths can reach up to 1 meter in length. This medicinal mushroom is very difficult to separate from the tree.

Chaga is most often confused with the false tinder fungus. Its fruiting body has a hard, brownish surface, covered with grooves and a light gray fuzz. Older mushrooms are brownish-black or dark brown. The main distinguishing feature of the false tinder fungus is its regular shape. False tinder fungi most often infest dead trees, which is not typical of chaga.

True, but non-medicinal, tinder fungi are easily removed from the tree. Their fruiting bodies resemble hooves and are soft and velvety to the touch. The outside of the tinder fungi is grayish-brown, while the underside and inside are light and uniform.

Other types of tinder fungus are rarely mistaken for chaga because they are too light and soft. The exception is the bordered tinder fungus. This old woody fungus is dark and hard to the touch, but its regular shape and orange edges distinguish it from chaga.

Beneficial properties

The tinder fungus is rich in dietary fiber and various acids. This helps support the body during gastrointestinal illnesses and normalizes the acid-base balance. It contains a large number of trace elements and amino acids.

The restorative and anti-inflammatory effects are due to the high content of high-molecular substances. Phytoncides promote rapid recovery from infectious diseases, and flavonoids combat cramps and inflammation.

Birch mushroom has many medicinal properties. For example, it:

• relieves inflammation;
• helps restore acid-base balance in the body;
• is an antiseptic;
• helps lower blood pressure;
• relieves pain;
• increases metabolism;
• speeds up the process of food digestion;
• normalizes intestinal microbiota;
• removes waste products from the body;
• improves kidney and liver function;
• is a diuretic;
• helps treat gastric ulcers.

And this is only a small part of the healing effects that the mushroom has.

Indications and restrictions for use

The healing wood sponge is recommended for a variety of ailments. The list of indications for internal use is quite long and includes diseases of many body systems. These include:

• oncology;
• heart and vascular diseases;
• leukopenia;
• viral diseases;
• inflammatory processes;
• diabetes mellitus and other endocrine system disorders;
• damage to the mucous membrane of the duodenum;
• gastritis;
• undergone surgery;
• insomnia, depression and other nervous disorders;
• obesity;
• spasms;
• tachycardia and hypertension.

In addition, the mushroom is used for general strengthening of the body and boosting immunity, as well as stimulating brain activity. Chaga is also used externally to treat conditions such as:

• dermatosis;
• rash;
• cold sores;
• keratinization of the integumentary epithelium;
• abscesses;
• burns;
• frostbite;
• abrasions, scrapes and wounds;
• acne;
• peeling skin;
• insect bites.

In dentistry it is used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent for:

• deep damage to the periodontal tissue;
• inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues;
• lesions of the oral mucosa;
• toothache.

However, it's not always possible to use tinder fungus for medicinal purposes. Contraindications to its use include:

• taking penicillin drugs;
• intravenous administration of glucose solution;
• insufficient defecation;
• inflammatory disease of the colon mucosa;
• shigellosis;
• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• individual intolerance.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Before using chaga medicinally, it's important to thoroughly understand its properties and characteristics. People considering using chaga medicinally may have various questions. Let's look at the answers to the most frequently asked questions:

The birch fungus is a truly amazing gift of nature. Its distinctive appearance makes it unmistakable from other species. This form has numerous beneficial properties and is effective against many ailments. It is even believed that the birch fungus can improve the condition of cancer patients.