Amadou
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2008-07-09T16:02:14Z
PhilKnight
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{{otheruses|Amadou (disambiguation)}}
{{artificial flies}}
[[Image:Fomes fomentarius.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''Fomes fomentarius'']]
[[Image:Kappe aus Zunderschwamm.jpg|thumb|Romanian cap made from amadou]]
'''Amadou''' is a spongy, flammable substance prepared from [[bracket fungus|bracket fungi]]. The species generally used is ''[[Fomes fomentarius]]'' (formerly ''Ungulina fomentaria'' or ''Polyporus fomentarius'') which in English is also called horse's hoof fungus or tinder fungus. It is used as [[tinder]] (especially after being pounded flat, and boiled or soaked in a solution of [[potassium nitrate|nitre]])and also used when smouldering as a portable firelighter.
It is also used in [[fly fishing]] for drying out [[Artificial fly|artificial flies]]. It is sometimes also used to form a felt-like fabric used in the making of hats and other items. It has great [[water]]-absorbing abilities.<ref>{{citebook|title=Fly Fishing Equipment & Skills|author=John Van Vliet|year= 1999|publisher=Creative Publishing|id=ISBN 0865731004}}</ref>
Fomes fomentarius has also been used in Chinese medicine for chronic indigestion and prescribed for fighting stomach cancer. Today its medicinal properties are being researched by several scientists{{attrib}}.
Amadou was a precious resource to ancient people, allowing them to start a fire by catching sparks from [[flint]] struck against [[iron pyrites]]. Remarkable evidence for this is provided by the discovery of the 5000-year-old remains of "[[Ötzi the Iceman]]", who carried it on a cross-alpine excursion before his death/murder and subsequent ice-entombment.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~5928~gid~.asp
* http://www.bushcraftuk.com/content/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=175
{{fungus-stub}}
{{recreational fishing}}
[[Category:Fly fishing]]
[[Category:Fungal morphology and anatomy]]
[[Category:Primitive technology]]
[[Category:Firelighting]]
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