birch fungus
Quick Summary
The birch fungus, also known as Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), is a dark, sterile mass that grows parasitically on hardwood trees, particularly birch, in temperate climates. It has a hard, cracked surface resembling charred wood and a bitter taste. This fungus takes years to develop inside the tree and is often ground and brewed into tea for folk medicine and herbal supplements.1
The order Polyporales includes shelf fungi like Polyporus betulinus, which causes decay in birch trees in the northern United States. These fungi can cause various diseases in trees, including heart rot and root rot.2
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