Name that fungus!!
Discussion
Morning all,
I'm 99% certain that I know what this is, and that it's edible, but I wanted to just check first before I try it! If this goes according to plan, Mobile Chicane will be along shortly with the definitive answer, but others are welcome to comment too!
It was growing out of the side of a tree (cherry, iirc), with multiple brackets stacked on top of each other.
I won't say what I think it is just yet, so as not to influence people's judgement.
I'm 99% certain that I know what this is, and that it's edible, but I wanted to just check first before I try it! If this goes according to plan, Mobile Chicane will be along shortly with the definitive answer, but others are welcome to comment too!
It was growing out of the side of a tree (cherry, iirc), with multiple brackets stacked on top of each other.
I won't say what I think it is just yet, so as not to influence people's judgement.
Looks like you've got some Chicken of the woods there. Your tree probably won't have much life left btw.
For what it's worth, if you're not sure and have to ask here, you shouldn't be eating it.
eta i know people that have eaten it and have had a bad reaction (puking/dizziness), something to do with the proteins and toxins that it absorbs from the host tree.
For what it's worth, if you're not sure and have to ask here, you shouldn't be eating it.
eta i know people that have eaten it and have had a bad reaction (puking/dizziness), something to do with the proteins and toxins that it absorbs from the host tree.
Edited by cinque on Friday 4th September 10:26
cinque said:
Looks like you've got some Chicken of the woods there. Your tree probably won't have much life left btw.
For what it's worth, if you're not sure and have to ask here, you shouldn't be eating it.
eta i know people that have eaten it and have had a bad reaction (puking/dizziness), something to do with the proteins and toxins that it absorbs from the host tree.
That's precisely what I though it was too. For what it's worth, if you're not sure and have to ask here, you shouldn't be eating it.
eta i know people that have eaten it and have had a bad reaction (puking/dizziness), something to do with the proteins and toxins that it absorbs from the host tree.
As I said, I was 99% certain, but just wanted to double-check. I also know the tree is doomed. Fortunately, it's outside a friend's house up the road, not outside mine!
My mushroom book also made the comment about it causing a bad reaction in some people, but as with a couple of other mushroom varieties I've looked at, that seems to be when they're growing on conifers or Yew trees since, as you say, they suck the nasties in from the host tree. This one is on a cherry tree, so no worries there.
Chicken-of-the-woods for sure.
It's edible when young but can be rather sour and fibrous as the fruit body ages.
Definitely not one to be picking from yew trees, which is where it's often found.
Interesting point about some fungi being mildly toxic. Alcohol is supposed to potentiate any ill-effects. Antonio Carluccio advises limiting alcohol portions when eating wild mushrooms.
It's edible when young but can be rather sour and fibrous as the fruit body ages.
Definitely not one to be picking from yew trees, which is where it's often found.
Interesting point about some fungi being mildly toxic. Alcohol is supposed to potentiate any ill-effects. Antonio Carluccio advises limiting alcohol portions when eating wild mushrooms.
They're certainly more of a viable meat replacement than most mushrooms...I found a huge bloom of this the other day. Mostly delicious, but some bits are a little sour. Apparently it freezes well - I didn't take that much, but there was an awful lot of it there, someone could be eating it for months if they have freezer space.
The caution about yew is interesting; my books mention it too, but I can't find any definitive proof that the fungus is tainted (and a couple of "we've been eating it off yew trees for years" anecdotes). I wouldn't risk it, but I'm not entirely convinced it isn't an assumption.
The caution about yew is interesting; my books mention it too, but I can't find any definitive proof that the fungus is tainted (and a couple of "we've been eating it off yew trees for years" anecdotes). I wouldn't risk it, but I'm not entirely convinced it isn't an assumption.
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