TOPIC: Another \"is this a good one\" thread

Hey guys...to keep things neat thought I'd start a second thread for identifications and such.

Where my seng patch is there are always hen in the woods growing. The ones I see are normally a couple feet long and maybe a foot or so in diameter. However, I didn't see any of them today. Which surprised me because I normally see them in August and they are starting to get nasty by then.

However, I did find these growing on an oak stump. I\"m thinking the first is a hen but not sure if the second is or not. I'm not very accomplished with fall mushrooms other than the shaggys, horse and meadow mushrooms. So you guys have gotten my curiousity up to try some of the other varieties. But, the rule stands firm...if you don't know...don't pick it. I did bring these home...but will happily throw them out if need be.







This shows them growing on the same stump together.

So, if these are hens, do you just chop them up or do they have to be peeled, or the darker spots cut away? Thanks guys

Bcastle, cool pic. I am almost certain those are not infant \"Hen of the Woods\". I do not see Hens forming until the end of August first of September and running through October if conditions are right. Hens only grow on live oaks, dead oaks or buried oak roots. Some say they grow on other trees I think beech perhaps but I have only found them on Oaks.

Sounds like you already know about \"Hens\" and they are one of my favorites. But I do not think those are hens.

Thanks,
Latt

Perhaps Tran or Shroomdawg can ID.

Latt

If it stains black where cut or damaged it is Meripilus sumstinei or blck staining polypore an okay edible when really young and tender after cooking a lot. If not staining it is Bondarzewia berkeleyi or berkley's polypore also edible when young and tender. These both look young and I would be interested in seeing more.

Dropped them into a half pail of water and they definately stained black.

Thanks guys.

Good to hear and glad to be of help Bcastle, happy foraging.

Thats a quarter beside that mushroom does anyone know what it is?

just an unknown polypore of some sort. Not edible.
Latt

Thank you , I could not find anything close to it searching online.

Here is another for you experts to ponder. This one was growing in the dirt under a maple in the yard.






At first I thought honey mushroom, and then chantrel, but the stems look wrong.