Late addition:
I wrote to a couple of mushroom experts whose sites I found while trying to find an answer to the question of what this is. Here's the response I got from David Fischer at American Mushrooms.com Thank you to David for his quick response to my question.
This is the Black-staining Polypore (Meripilus sumstinei = M. giganteus). It's a common species. It is edible* but not among the most popular.
Thursday addition:
Some additional input from Stan at Mid-Missouri Morels and Mushrooms :
I think I would agree with Fisher that it is a black staining polypore. Tear off a few pieces and if it bruises or turns black, then it will be confirmed. People do eat these but usually when they are younger. They get kind of tough with age. If it doesn't turn black, then it is a Hen of the Woods mushroom, which are mighty tasty and one of my favorites.
In either case, it is definitely a type of polypore mushroom, and no polypore is poisonous so you could try it if you wanted. However, some people do have minor allergic reactions to some polypores, so if you do, only cook a very small batch and try a couple of bites. If no effects by the next day, you can try more.
Thanks for the sharing your find.Stan
11 comments:
It's certainly of the fungi kingdom but wouldn't know which variety. Edible? Probably, but I don't think I'd risk it.
I don't think I'd risk eating them.
I would not eat those.
It looks a bit like a form of honey fungus, but this grows on trees (and kills them!). No, I would not risk eating it!
Not planning to... So far I've found something called Giant polypore and one called cauliflower which look sort of like it and are edible but they don't look quite like it. There are an amazing number of edible mushrooms of all shapes and sizes that are native to this area. Fascinating. I'm still hunting to see if I can find a name for this one. But I don't plan to eat it in any case.
I wrote to a couple of mushroom experts whose sites I found while trying to find an answer to the question of what this is. Here's the response I got from David Fischer at American Mushrooms.com
This is the Black-staining Polypore (Meripilus sumstinei = M. giganteus). It's a common species. It is edible* but not among the most popular.
Thanks David
Here's some more info on the black staining polypore
Thanks for finding the proper name for this fungus. The majority of fungi are edible, but not necessarily inviting! Cheers, Phil
Very interesting. What an amazing species!
Ok, I still wouldn't eat it. :)
I have to say though that the top of the fungus in the second photo looks like a tiny alligator head - I don't know it's late here but I'm sticking to it. Ha!
Dear Raven,
I'm happy to see there are progress on all fronts in your world.
About time, you have been waiting for so long now.
Spending all your time indoors, it must be of vital importance to get this work done.
I'm a mushroom illiterate.
Quite a few growing in the woodlands around our town.
I couldn't be trusted to identify anyone, except perhaps chanterelle.
Good wishes
From Felisol
Post a Comment