Found this today and can't seem to find anything definitive on the edibility of this fungi, anyone have any insight?
Exidia glandulosa [black witches butter]
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Found this today and can't seem to find anything definitive on the edibility of this fungi, anyone have any insight?
xylaria
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Edibily comes under "we havent found anyone that has eaten it, or dies from eating it, it looks gross, so I aint trying it either" Saying that we ate witches eggs [immature stickhorn] in the autumn and they were lovely.
Not a clue if is edible and lovely, if it will kill you, make you puke, or about a palletable as slugs and larva bread on toast.
Not a clue if is edible and lovely, if it will kill you, make you puke, or about a palletable as slugs and larva bread on toast.
" There has been much speculation over the origin of the unusual name. Some Eastern European legends tell of the fungus appearing over the entrances of houses whose owners have been put under a witches spell. The only way to get rid of this curse is to ***** the Witches Butter allowing the evil juices of the fungus to leak out. However, other stories claim that stabbing the fungus would cause the witch to appear. Despite its name, most scientists believe that the witches' butter is inedible. Either way, its probably best to steer clear of the Witches Butter,"
Exidia glandulosa or 'Black Witches Butter' does have a couple of lookalikes Exidia nigricans formerly known as Exidia plana, with which it often confused and Bulgaria inquinans which although very similar only grows on Oak.
Exidia glandulosa is frequently confused with Exidia nigricans. The two are similar, but E. nigricans produces button-shaped fruit bodies in clusters that quickly become deformed and coalesce, forming an effused, lobed mass that can be 10 cm (3.9 in) or more across. The two species are indistinguishable microscopically, but DNA research indicates they are distinct.
Classed as 'inedible' from what I can gather this is more due to the fact that it's gelatinous, indistinct and bland, and unless hydrated is as tough as old boot leather. However, with fungi if I read the word inedible from 3 or more separate sources then I'll take their word for it and search for one which is edible, or even excellent eating.
Whilst searching though I did come across the Project Gutenburg eBook The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise, by M. E. Hard which for a free book at 600+ pages is not bad, if a little old.
Si
Exidia glandulosa is frequently confused with Exidia nigricans. The two are similar, but E. nigricans produces button-shaped fruit bodies in clusters that quickly become deformed and coalesce, forming an effused, lobed mass that can be 10 cm (3.9 in) or more across. The two species are indistinguishable microscopically, but DNA research indicates they are distinct.
Classed as 'inedible' from what I can gather this is more due to the fact that it's gelatinous, indistinct and bland, and unless hydrated is as tough as old boot leather. However, with fungi if I read the word inedible from 3 or more separate sources then I'll take their word for it and search for one which is edible, or even excellent eating.
Whilst searching though I did come across the Project Gutenburg eBook The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise, by M. E. Hard which for a free book at 600+ pages is not bad, if a little old.
Si
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Absolutely love that quote, definitely going to use that one in the future...
