Hmm - Chicken of the woods on Yew?
- Thread starter henchy3rd
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It's an interesting question and one that can be applied to a number of woods. Whether it is or not I guarantee you won't feel well after eating it because of the psychological effect - i.e. you think it will harm you so your brain says it is. That's a very real phenomena that I have both experienced and witnessed. I would advice not eating it!
A real shame because that is one of the best fungal edibles IMO.
A real shame because that is one of the best fungal edibles IMO.
I'd avoid that one like the plague, I'm no expert in these matters mind but I'm also not that desperate that I feel like trying it out.
What about giving it a quick lick
I have eaten them in the past, but I was dubious about this one?
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Please no!
Yew is toxic, the fungus feeds off the tree, and will take up some of the toxin.
Yew seeds are toxic even in tiny quantities .
Just admire it, and pass by.
Yew is toxic, the fungus feeds off the tree, and will take up some of the toxin.
Yew seeds are toxic even in tiny quantities .
Just admire it, and pass by.
The aril is edible (well, I'm still alive and sane - I think) but, as you say, the seed is poisonous (as are all other parts of the tree).
Not brave, or stupid, just confident of my studies and research
Possibly, but unlikely IMO, a fungus only takes from a tree what it needs - I doubt chicken of the wood needs the alkaloids as it grows on other trees that do not contain them.
However, without chemical analysis, I would refrain from trying it.
From everything i have read over recent years, including articles by some very prominent Mycologists, and our own Jeff Dann, there is no evidence that the toxins contained the wood and seeds of the Yew, transfer to the fungi.
But as Slowworm said, bits of yew getting trapped in the fruiting body may well cause issues.
Would i eat one? Probably, if we were in dire circumstances. but in a regular year, probably not.
But as Slowworm said, bits of yew getting trapped in the fruiting body may well cause issues.
Would i eat one? Probably, if we were in dire circumstances. but in a regular year, probably not.
It’s fine. I’ve been eating it off Yew for years. Just make sure you don’t take any of the tree with it. I don’t cut it close to the trunk. If you do that you‘ll have no problems.
