Polypore????

[Belly77]

Found this growing out of a dead tree this morning. Being the plonker that I am I forgot to id the tree. Now at first I thought it was an artists polypore but it doesn't have the white ring round the outside. Can't seem to pin it down in any of my books. It appeared to have White/Purple gills underneath Yellow pores.




I also found this little one growing out of a moulding piece of fallen wood.

[Deer Stalker]

Your first one is Beefsteak Fungus Fistulina hepatica.

[Belly77]

Thanks for that, don't know how I missed it but I'm blaming the pictures in my books not looking anything like the one I found

Is it worth going back for? Didn't smell or look very tasty.

[Steve Wurzel]

Originally Posted by Belly77

Is it worth going back for? Didn't smell or look very tasty.

That's a fairly old example so I'd say it wasn't worth a return visit, especially as it's been picked.

I've not eaten beefsteak fungus, but I suspect they are best when the pores are still white.

Apparently they have a slightly acrid taste and are best soaked in milk for about 3 hours before cooking to reduce the acidity.

A nice underside shot of the second mushroom, but a top down shot will probably be needed for a positive ID as well.