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Polypores are often found on rotting logs[1], and are rot-resistant to the extent that they themselves often last long enough to have moss growing on them.
Owing to their texture, edible polypores are quite common, and there are no poisonous species [2]. Some, however, have been used in ritual and for utilitarian purposes for ages; the famous Ötzi the Iceman was found carrying two different polypore species. One was notable[citation needed] for its antibacterial properties. The other was likely[citation needed] used for starting fires.
Two medicinal polypores in use today are Ganoderma lucidum (reishi or lingzhi) and Trametes versicolor. Beyond their traditional use in herbal medicine, contemporary research has suggested many applications polypores for the treatment of illnesses related to the immune system and cancer recovery.
