Breakhrough

A young Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus) breaks through the bark of a truncated Birch (Betula) trunk, the top half of which has long fallen and lies rotting nearby. The young white flesh of the polypore looks tasty although it's not supposed to be that good to eat as it's tough, rubbery and bitter making it inedible really, although, it's far from useless, with plenty of bushcraft applications. This young example may be soft and bit squidgy though as they age they become firmer and firmer. It maybe inedible but the Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus) is a medicinal miracle with antiseptic, anti bacterial, anti viral, anti-inflammatory, anti parasitic and anti fungal properties, it can also strengthen the immune system and that's just the beginning as new medical application are continually being identified, such as anti tumour and cancer fighting properties. It's usually consumed medicinally as a beverage. It has external uses too, thin strips of fresh skin from the underside of juvenile examples can be used as an antiseptic, anti bacterial and anti-inflammatory plaster. And it's not medicinal properties. When dried it's useful as tinder as it can take a weak spark, it'll also smoulder for a long time which makes it ideal for transporting embers. Birch Polypore was found with the body of Ötzi (the 5000 year old prehistoric man found locked in the Alpine ice) as part of his fire kit, although the multipurpose nature of the ploypore means he could have been carrying it for another use or for several uses. The tough upper surface of the Birch Polypore has traditionally been cut into strips, stretched and used as a strop to sharpen blades.  As you can see from my small description the Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus), just like its host tree, has a cornucopia of bushcraft applications. Check it out, it's certainly worth knowing.