What is this and can I eat it? Growing out of a dead elm stump in my yard, just spotted it this evening while mowing.
Not 100% sure but looks like pheasant back to me. But those are really big to eat, the big ones I’ve fixed ended up tough as leather. I’ve fixed small ones and enjoyed them but nothing like a morel.
I don’t have the Hickory Nuts to grab any and eat them. Wish I had a guide. I did have one years ago but he’s since passed. My loss. I’ve got these growing from a Cherry in the wood line. The color says, “I dare you”
I think that color says "I'll BURY you!" Most shrooms are toxic. You've got a better chance of going on a wild trip, or dead than finding a delicious scrounge.
You can use google lens to find out what wood decay fungus you are looking at and the info that is displayed should tell you if it’s edible. That fungi looks similar to ganoderma sessile.
That looks similar to chicken of the woods but not sure. I only find chicken on dead oak trees. We enjoy chicken of the woods. They freeze well, they are a nice treat from Mother Nature in January and February.
There are a number of grass and field growing mushrooms that are edible and delectable. Unfortunately there are also a number of undesirable and at least one very bad one found in the same environment. Worse yet, a couple of them are very similar in appearance. I stay away from all of them since I hunt mostly deep woods anyway. The best policy for beginner and even intermediate mushroom gatherers is to stick to varieties where there is no dangerous look-a likes!
I believe that is indeed an Amanita muscaria or "Fly Amanita" of shamanistic and witch doctor fame! Well known for it's intoxicating and psychoactive properties.
I hadn’t heard of this shroom until recently, but it was mentioned in a podcast I was listing to then I saw a reference to it here on FHC. Now I find it gathering campfire wood in my back yard. I thing the universe is telling me something…. Good thing I don’t have to be to work till Tuesday!