I quote Wikipedia:
Fomes fomentarius (commonly known as the Tinder Fungus,
Hoof Fungus, Tinder Conk, Tinder Polypore or Ice Man Fungus) is a species of
fungal plant pathogen found in Europe, Asia, Africa and North
America . The species produces very large polypore fruit bodies
which are shaped like a horse's hoof and vary in colour from a silvery grey to
almost black, though they are normally brown. It 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 decomposer.
Though inedible, F. fomentarius has traditionally seen
use as the main ingredient of amadou, a material used primarily as tinder, but
also used to make clothing and other items. The 5,000-year-old Ötzi the Iceman
carried four pieces of F. fomentarius, concluded to be for use as tinder. It
also has medicinal and other uses. The species is both a pest and useful in
timber production.
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