Fomes is a genus of perennial woody fungi in the family Polyporaceae. Species are typically hoof-shaped (ungulate). New growth each season is added to the margin, resulting in a downward extension of the hymenium. This often results in a zonate appearance of the upper surface, that is, marked by concentric bands of color. The name comes from Latin fomes, meaning "tinder", from the use of Fomes fomentarius, also known as the tinder fungus, in making tinder (see amadou).