Mushroom Type Edible  
    
Common Name 2 Razor Strop Fungus 
Latin Name Piptoporus betulinus 
    

    
Maximum height (CM) 6 
Maximum width (CM) 30 
    
Smell Strong and mushroomy
 
Gills No gills but white, very fine pores underneath turning buff with maturity
 
Spore Print White. Cylindrical to ellipsoidal 
Stem Does not really have a stem but is connected to the tree by a slight bulge
 
Cap White turning grey/brown with age. Starting subglobose then forming a 'hoof' shape finally becoming an enlarged flat bracket
 
Flesh White and firm
 
Habitat Growing on dead or damaged birch trees
 
Taste Mushroomy but a little bitter
 
Possible Confusion This distinctive mushroom is difficult to confuse with any other as it only grows on Birch.
 
Description 
 Although edible the mushroom is a bit bitter and is usually used as a medicinal tea as it takes in Betulenic acid from the host tree. It is strongly antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-imflam