what mushroom is this?

[timtom1]

This is at the bottom of my garden growning on a dead silver birch tree any ideas what this mushroom is?

 

[Ed]

The pic of the bottom of the bracket fungus isn't too clear....does it have gills or pores?

Ed

 

[Marts]

The larger brown one looks like a Giant Polypore (Meripilus giganteus) although they're usually found with Beech - What sort of size is it at the moment?

Here's a photo of a largish one BTW

 

[timtom1]

Hi Giant Polypore (Meripilus giganteus) is about 10 -15 cm across at the moment, if not more the white ones have gills i think

 

[Marts]

They may well be more of the same thing, just new and little

Here's a link to some info on them, with a suggested test method.

http://www.aie.org.uk/fungi_base/merip/article/aie_pd_merip.html

 

[timtom1]

does it have any uses? :You_Rock_

 

[Marts]

allegedly, and I always say allegedly about fungi , it is edible though a bit sour to the taste. Best eaten when small and young. I suspect at 15cms diameter it would be tough as an old boot.

Same goes for Hen of the Woods - which is the only other bracket it could be mistaken for. Try the bruising test - the other name for the giant polypore is the black-staining mushroom so it should be pretty obvious.

 

[timtom1]

erm think i'll go by if in doubt leave it out rule

 

[Gumbob]

erm think i'll go by if in doubt leave it out rule

Always the best policy

Gumbob