What Is That Fungi & Can I Eat It ?

[BramhopeMan]

Hi
After much searching I have come across this superb site. It really is most interesting and informative.

We have just moved in to our new home on the outskirts of Leeds in the country village of Bramhope and have some wonderful examples of funghi all in our gardens. One variety in particular is a well established large solid balloon type cylindrical shape attached midway up a silver birch. It is a very solid white colour and I am guessing it is fine to eat, but you never know so thought it best to sign up here and join in!

I can upload some very clear images of it and others but not 100% sure how to do this !

Any help you can offer would be most useful,
many thanks in advance and looking forward to hearing from you,

Jason

[Fungus Ken]

Just goes to show you shouldn't guess.

If it's growing on birch and as you describe it, it's likely to be Birch Polypore, also known as Razorstrop, Piptoporus betulinus which is tough and inedible.

But with fungi, going by whether something looks good enough to eat is a recipe for disaster. You need to be 100% sure of what the species is before you even think about eating some, and then you should only try a little bit and only of one species at a time, because you may have a particular sensitivity to a mushroom.

As I've said before on this forum, even 99% certain means you have some doubt and you should steer well clear. With fungi, your one mistake could be your last.

Ken

[Fungus Ken]

PS As you live in Bramhope, can I give a plug for the Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group.

Here's the link to the website:

Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group Home Page

New members are always welcome, whatever their level of experience.

Ken

[arvensis]

Same as Ken says, if you look at fungi and guess it looks ok to eat then you may not be eating fungi for long! Look at this link: Alpha-amanitin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Once you've read it, you will not want to guess the edibility of fungi you do have to be totally 100% sure.

Mark

[BramhopeMan]

Hi Ken and Mark et al !
I did have a quick look around on the net before making my initial post and discovered the Razorstrop but it doesnt look anything like those ! Will try to upload some images on here

[BramhopeMan]

Here are the said funghi... What do you think ?

[Stewy]

Birch Polypore piptoporus betulinus

Rogers Mushrooms - Piptoporus betulinus Mushroom