Does This Look Edible?

[Spydaman]

This alien has erupted in the drive. Its about two feet across and quite solid. Anyone know what it is and whether its edible?

[Boosted LS1]

Has it got yellow/orange parts? There's is one that's similar which is edible but I can't remember it's name. Ah, chicken of the woods. Maybe compare it with that? odd that it's just sprung up where it is.

The Nottingham Forager will know what it is for certain. https://www.facebook.com/Thenottinghamforager

[Chimune]

not chicken of the woods (or partially edible tbh)

[dickymint]

Even if it were COW it's far to 'gone' to eat.

[Catz]

It doesn’t look very appetising!

[PositronicRay]

You could slice a little thinly, sauté in a little unsalted butter and serve in an omelette.



If successful, try a bigger portion, then, if able let us know how you got on.

[Pericoloso]

That's marginally less edible than one of my legendary plates of pasta.

[Mobile Chicane]

Meripilus giganteus, or giant polypore.

Normally grows at the base of trees, so I'm presuming there are root systems still intact from a felled one.

It's supposedly edible when young, but fibrous and sour tasting. I'd try a piece out of curiosity.

[DB4DM]

All mushrooms are edible but some only once

[pequod]

Mobile Chicane said:

Meripilus giganteus, or giant polypore.

Normally grows at the base of trees, so I'm presuming there are root systems still intact from a felled one.

It's supposedly edible when young, but fibrous and sour tasting. I'd try a piece out of curiosity.

This ^^^ , is the correct answer.

Growing from the stump of a tree that has been cut below the soil level. Polypore of one type or another I would 'guess'?

Many fungi aren't 'poisonous', per se, but not necessarily good for eating!

[Spydaman]

Based on the comments above I think I'm going to give it a miss. There was a tree there which was cut down a few years ago so that must be what it's feeding off.

[Chimune]

Has there ever been a dedicated mushroom thread? I love looking for them and always take photos of interesting ones. I'm very occasionally able to identify them too!

[Catz]

Chimune said:

Has there ever been a dedicated mushroom thread? I love looking for them and always take photos of interesting ones. I'm very occasionally able to identify them too!

I’d love to forage mushrooms but I’m not sure about the “hit and miss” as to whether they’re edible or poisonous. That group that ate deadly mushrooms a few years ago made me a bit wary!

[Evoluzione]

Chimune said:

Has there ever been a dedicated mushroom thread? I love looking for them and always take photos of interesting ones. I'm very occasionally able to identify them too!

Yes several.

[otolith]

Catz said:

That group that ate deadly mushrooms a few years ago made me a bit wary!

If you look at what they thought they were eating, and what they were actually eating, it’s quite a remarkable mistake.

What they thought they had;



What they had;

[Mobile Chicane]

Chimune said:

Has there ever been a dedicated mushroom thread? I love looking for them and always take photos of interesting ones. I'm very occasionally able to identify them too!

Pretty much every autumn...

Happy to help with ID. However I'd refer you to the various Facebook groups which have a greater reach than this page: Mushroom Spotters UK, Mushroom Foraging United Kingdom, etc.

[Mobile Chicane]

otolith said:

Catz said:

That group that ate deadly mushrooms a few years ago made me a bit wary!

If you look at what they thought they were eating, and what they were actually eating, it’s quite a remarkable mistake.

What they thought they had;



What they had;

Yes, there are subtle differences between species and you need to be certain of every ID feature, but that's staggering.

I read that Nicholas Evans has often been questioned on this point, but declines to answer.

[Catz]

otolith said:

If you look at what they thought they were eating, and what they were actually eating, it’s quite a remarkable mistake.

What they thought they had;



What they had;

Wow! Should have gone to Specsavers.

[Chimune]

The pixy hat... they thought they were psilocybe?

[Thebaggers]

I have a lot of chip bark piles in the wooded bit of our garden and they are currently covered in these Gymnopilus mushrooms. I have about a good wheelie bin full, what do we think the street value is

Edited by Thebaggers on Sunday 27th September 21:19