Amadou is a spongy material derived from Fomes fomentarius and similar fungi that grow on the bark of coniferous and angiosperm trees, and have the appearance of a horse's hoof (thus the name "hoof fungus"). It is also known as the "tinder fungus" and is useful for starting slow-burning fires. The fungus must be removed from the tree, the hard outer layer scraped off, and then thin strips of the inner spongy layer cut for use as tinder.
Amadou used to dry an artificial fly
Amadou was a precious resource to ancient people, allowing them to start a fire by catching sparks from flint struck against iron pyrites. Bits of fungus preserved in peat have been discovered at the Mesolithic site of Star Carr in the UK, modified presumably for this purpose. [1] Remarkable evidence for its utility is provided by the discovery of the 5,000-year-old remains of "Ötzi the Iceman", who carried it on a cross-alpine excursion before his death and subsequent ice-entombment.[2] Amadou has great water-absorbing abilities. It is used in fly fishing for drying out dry flies that have become wet.[3][4] Another use is for forming a felt-like fabric used in the making of hats and other items.[5][6] It can be used as a kind of artificial leather.[7]MycologistPaul Stamets famously wears a hat made of amadou.[8]
Fomes fomentarius
Before such uses, amadou needs to be prepared by being pounded flat, and boiled or soaked in a solution of nitre. One method of preparation starts by soaking a slice in washing soda for a week, beating it gently from time to time. After that it has to be dried; when dry it is initially hard and has to be pounded with a blunt object to soften and flatten it.[4]
References
^Robson, H. K. 2018. The Star Carr Fungi. In: Milner, N., Conneller, C. and Taylor, B. (eds.) Star Carr Volume 2: Studies in Technology, Subsistence and Environment, pp. 437–445. York: White Rose University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22599/book2.q. Licence: CC BY-NC 4.0
^Cotter T. (2015). Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation: Simple to Advanced and Experimental Techniques for Indoor and Outdoor Cultivation. Chelsea Green Publishing. p. 281. ISBN978-1-60358-456-2.
^Greenberg J. (2014). Rivers of Sand: Fly Fishing Michigan and the Great Lakes Region. Lyons Press. p. 93. ISBN978-1-4930-0783-7.
^Pegler D. (2001). "Useful fungi of the world: Amadou and Chaga". Mycologist. 15 (4): 153–154. doi:10.1016/S0269-915X(01)80004-5. In Germany, this soft, pliable 'felt' has been harvested for many years for a secondary function, namely in the manufacture of hats, dress adornments and purses.
^Alice Klein (Jun 16, 2018). "Vegan-friendly fashion is actually bad for the environment". New Scientist.
^Joe Rogan Experience #1035 - Paul Stamets on YouTube
External links
Look up amadou in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
"The Easy Way to Use Fomes Fomentarius as Tinder". 10 August 2011.
May 20, 2023
amadou, name, name, spongy, material, derived, from, fomes, fomentarius, similar, fungi, that, grow, bark, coniferous, angiosperm, trees, have, appearance, horse, hoof, thus, name, hoof, fungus, also, known, tinder, fungus, useful, starting, slow, burning, fir. For the name see Amadou name Amadou is a spongy material derived from Fomes fomentarius and similar fungi that grow on the bark of coniferous and angiosperm trees and have the appearance of a horse s hoof thus the name hoof fungus It is also known as the tinder fungus and is useful for starting slow burning fires The fungus must be removed from the tree the hard outer layer scraped off and then thin strips of the inner spongy layer cut for use as tinder Amadou used to dry an artificial flyAmadou was a precious resource to ancient people allowing them to start a fire by catching sparks from flint struck against iron pyrites Bits of fungus preserved in peat have been discovered at the Mesolithic site of Star Carr in the UK modified presumably for this purpose 1 Remarkable evidence for its utility is provided by the discovery of the 5 000 year old remains of Otzi the Iceman who carried it on a cross alpine excursion before his death and subsequent ice entombment 2 Amadou has great water absorbing abilities It is used in fly fishing for drying out dry flies that have become wet 3 4 Another use is for forming a felt like fabric used in the making of hats and other items 5 6 It can be used as a kind of artificial leather 7 Mycologist Paul Stamets famously wears a hat made of amadou 8 Fomes fomentarius Before such uses amadou needs to be prepared by being pounded flat and boiled or soaked in a solution of nitre One method of preparation starts by soaking a slice in washing soda for a week beating it gently from time to time After that it has to be dried when dry it is initially hard and has to be pounded with a blunt object to soften and flatten it 4 References Edit Robson H K 2018 The Star Carr Fungi In Milner N Conneller C and Taylor B eds Star Carr Volume 2 Studies in Technology Subsistence and Environment pp 437 445 York White Rose University Press DOI https doi org 10 22599 book2 q Licence CC BY NC 4 0 Cotter T 2015 Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation Simple to Advanced and Experimental Techniques for Indoor and Outdoor Cultivation Chelsea Green Publishing p 281 ISBN 978 1 60358 456 2 John Van Vliet 1999 Fly Fishing Equipment amp Skills Creative Publishing ISBN 978 0 86573 100 4 a b Jon Beer October 13 2001 Reel life fomes fomentarius The Telegraph Greenberg J 2014 Rivers of Sand Fly Fishing Michigan and the Great Lakes Region Lyons Press p 93 ISBN 978 1 4930 0783 7 Pegler D 2001 Useful fungi of the world Amadou and Chaga Mycologist 15 4 153 154 doi 10 1016 S0269 915X 01 80004 5 In Germany this soft pliable felt has been harvested for many years for a secondary function namely in the manufacture of hats dress adornments and purses Alice Klein Jun 16 2018 Vegan friendly fashion is actually bad for the environment New Scientist Joe Rogan Experience 1035 Paul Stamets on YouTubeExternal links Edit Look up amadou in Wiktionary the free dictionary 1 BushcraftUK Tinder fungus tutorial Page 1 February 3 2007 Archived from the original on 2007 02 03 2 Substitutes for Tinder Fungus The Easy Way to Use Fomes Fomentarius as Tinder 10 August 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Amadou amp oldid 1139645626, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
