Inonotus obliquus
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
Author(s): Joseph O'Brien, USDA Forest Service
Source: IPM Images
Inonotus obliquus (L.) (Pers.) Pilát (1942) - (chaga fungus)
This fungus is common in Europe, eastern and north-western parts of North America, as well as in temperate parts of Asia. It causes wood decay on birch and other broad-leaved trees. The spores of the fungus spread by wind and enter the trunk through wounds. The mycelium then spreads through the wood causing decay.
Initially, I. obliquus forms conspicuous, irregular, black fruiting bodies, called chaga. However, these are sterile and do not produce spores. Spore forming fruiting bodies are produced at a later stage under the bark, once the tree has died, and these fertile fruiting bodies are rarely visible on the tree.
The sterile chaga fruiting bodies are harvested in some countries. They are consumed as a tea and are often regarded as medicinal, having for example anti-cancer properties (Brydon-Williams et al., 2021).
