What is musciame?

Musciame is a type of fungal growth that occurs on tree trunks and branches. It is also known as tinder fungus, horse hoof fungus, and ice-man fungus. Musciame has a hard, woody texture and a brownish-red coloration. It can grow up to several feet in size and can be found on various types of trees, including birch, beech, oak, and maple.

Musciame has been used for centuries as tinder for starting fires because of its highly flammable properties. It was also used in traditional medicine for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Musciame was even found on the body of the "Ice Man," a 5,300-year-old mummy discovered in the Italian Alps, and may have been used as a medicinal substance by early humans.

Today, musciame is still used in traditional medicine and is also used in the production of certain types of musical instruments, such as the Scandinavian bowed lyre. It is also sometimes used as an ingredient in gourmet cooking.