Chaga
Inonotus obliquus
A species of Inonotus. Also known as Birch canker polypore, Clinker fungus.
Inonotus obliquus, commonly known as chaga, is a fungus that grows on hardwood trees, particularly birches, appearing as a hard, canker-like growth. These fungal formations often resemble charred wood protruding from a tree's trunk, with their dark hue attributed to a high concentration of the pigment melanin.
In This Article
Attributes of Chaga
Height
5 - 13 cm
Cap
Dark reddish brown, with a surface of circular pores
Flesh
Tough; woody; bright orange-brown
Spore Print Color
Brown
Odor
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
Body Color
BrownRed
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Solitary
Nutrient Gathering
Saprophytic, Parasitic
Substrate
Wood of Living Trees, Dead Woods
You can find Chaga by these plants
Yellow Birch, Paper birch, Downy birch
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland
Species Status
Widely distributed
Endangered Species
No
Scientific Classification of Chaga
Phylum
Club fungi
Class
Mushroom-forming fungi
Order
Hymenochaetales
Family
Hymenochaetaceae
Genus
Inonotus
Toxicity and Edibility of Chaga
Is Chaga Toxic?
Toxicity information is not available for this mushroom. Always consult with an expert before consuming any wild mushrooms.
