Can You Idntify this fungi?

[zarqwan]

Hi All,

I found this on a deciduous stump, growing in clusters.



Can anyone help me identify this and its edibility?

[NickCantle]

Hullo,

This is a Polyporus, probably young P. squamosus. It's edible yes, but chewy. Plus, if you're relying on an Internet forum to play roulette with your food, I'd advise throwing it away until you can recognise it without aid. Seems harsh, maybe, but it can be a big mistake seeking edibles without your own knowledge of the subject

Welcome to WAB by the way

Nick

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by zarqwan

Hi All,

I found this on a deciduous stump, growing in clusters.



Can anyone help me identify this and its edibility?

Hi zarqwan and welcome to WAB

Your fungus is Dryad's Saddle - Polyporus squamosus. There are recent threads in the fungi forum on it's edibility.

John

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi zarquan,

Welcome to WAB.

Your fungus is Dryad's Saddle, (Polyporus squamosus).

Regards
Mike.

[zarqwan]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Hullo,

This is a Polyporus, probably young P. squamosus. It's edible yes, but chewy. Plus, if you're relying on an Internet forum to play roulette with your food, I'd advise throwing it away until you can recognise it without aid. Seems harsh, maybe, but it can be a big mistake seeking edibles without your own knowledge of the subject

Welcome to WAB by the way

Nick

Thank you Nick.

Thank you for the 'newbie lecture' but fortunately I have been collecting edible mushrooms for about 12 years now, but mostly from European (Danish) forests, and I know very well the level of repect that is required before I put anything on my plate.

As you will no doubt acknowledge, sometimes one finds a stranger in a strange forest that you can't quite identify and would like to know if it is worth putting on your plate, hence the enquiry here.

I did think it looked like a Dryad's Saddle, but my initial research identified it as usually found in the Eastern states of the USA.

[NickCantle]

No offense meant whatsoever, but if with 12 years experience, you're unaware of the distribution of probably the most recognisable and frequently occuring Polypore in this country, then I'm a little 'confused'. Plus, with over a decade of experience behind you, I must admit I'm surprised that you would question the edibility of a species that you thought it might be.

Where are you situated may I ask? Do you specialise in any field of Mycology, I'm very interested to hear about your experience.

The newbie lecture is a partial disclaimer, as we wouldn't want to give the wrong impression but (i hope!) you already know that

I just read that back and it does sound harsh- rest assured that it's not supposed to be taken like that. I am genuinely interested. I read in your previous post that you've collected from Denmark, and I am jealous I am friendly really

[zarqwan]

Hi Nick,

I wouldn't be too jealous of Denmark. It's not that great, lol. I'm not a mycologist, I work in the health service professionally. I collect what I know and what I am sure of. When I checked up online initially regarding the dryad's saddle, I kept getting hits fom the USA so was just making sure really.

To be honest I've only just moved back home to the UK and am exploring the local area. The forests and woodland that I collected in in Denmark (Northern Sjealland) honestly did not have the Dryad's Saddle as I recall, and I did generally only collect in autumn. I did also stick mainly to 2 well known forests where I knew to find my boletes, morels (I keep wanting to call them moerkels), chantrels, blewits etc etc etc. I always avoid parasol inkcaps tho, as I do like a chilly chablis with my harvests.

At the moment I'm opening up pastures new here in Wiltshire and getting to know my areas, find those special spots and know the local population.

If you know any good west wiltshire forests, I'm all ears.

[CapAndBracket]

savernake forest sounds like a perfect place for a foray but i don't know the
area. Perhaps someone on here could give some guidance.

Cheers J.P.

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by zarqwan

Hi Nick,

I wouldn't be too jealous of Denmark. It's not that great, lol. I'm not a mycologist, I work in the health service professionally. I collect what I know and what I am sure of. When I checked up online initially regarding the dryad's saddle, I kept getting hits fom the USA so was just making sure really.

To be honest I've only just moved back home to the UK and am exploring the local area. The forests and woodland that I collected in in Denmark (Northern Sjealland) honestly did not have the Dryad's Saddle as I recall, and I did generally only collect in autumn. I did also stick mainly to 2 well known forests where I knew to find my boletes, morels (I keep wanting to call them moerkels), chantrels, blewits etc etc etc. I always avoid parasol inkcaps tho.

Thank you for explaining your situation, and I think you've stumbled upon the best open Fungi resource online. May I apologise for the tone in which I resonated my previous post, I didn't intend to convey a feeling of hostility. As long as you understand that most first posts get the newbie lecture, just to be safe.

Stick around

Nick