Fomes fomentarius

FRUIT BODY: 5-50cm in diameter. Hoof-shaped and concentrically grooved. Greyish upper surface is hard and rough. Very distinctive in appearance. GILLS/PORES: The pores are light grey and darken when handled. FLESH: Brown, hard and fibrous with an acrid taste. Fruity smell. SPORES: Brownish-yellow, ellipsoid. HABITAT: In dense clusters on birch and occasionally beech. SEASON: Common. Throughout the year. EDIBILITY: Inedible.