Toxicity of bracket fungi

[Paul mabbott]

I'm sure I could find the information somewhere but equally sure that you people will give me the answer more rapidly.

My wife has old birches in her schoolyard which have a nice growth of bracket fungi. She's asks if these are likely to be poisonous in tiny hands. From the recesses of my memory bank I said that there was no problem, no British bracket fungi are toxic.

I thought I'd better check .... all comments gratefully received!

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I'm sure I could find the information somewhere but equally sure that you people will give me the answer more rapidly.

My wife has old birches in her schoolyard which have a nice growth of bracket fungi. She's asks if these are likely to be poisonous in tiny hands. From the recesses of my memory bank I said that there was no problem, no British bracket fungi are toxic.

I thought I'd better check .... all comments gratefully received!

I'd be more worried over possible Amanita and other species Paul. Maybe a lesson here .... If you know what I mean

John

[Leif]

Most fungi are indigestible, but not poisonous. Sadly the few that are poisonous are fairly common, and kill you in the nastiest of fashions i.e. slow and painful.

It's safest not to eat any fungus unless you know for sure that it is edible.

That said, as far as I know all non fleshy bracket fungi are indigestible. There are some fleshy brackets which might give stomach upsets or worse. Panus and Panellus species come to mind. And of course mistaking Galerina marginata which grows on wood for an edible fleshy bracket will ensure that you make no more mistakes.