Dried Red-Banded (Red-Belted) Polypore Mushroom (whole)
The Red-Banded polypore (Fomitopsis pinicola) is a shelf fungus common to dead and dying Douglas fir, hemlocks and other tree species in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. The top of this perennial fungus often has black/brown, orange/red, and cream colored bands (though size, margin and intensity of color may change with maturity) that may appear somewhat shiny, thus the name "Red-Banded" Polypore. This mushroom is fine-ground and used by some as a Functional, or "medicinal" mushroom; it is definitely not a culinary mushroom for cooking and eating as it has a very hard texture and bitter flavor.
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