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Forest Mushrooms: Part III — Edible Tree Fungi
This article is the third in a series of articles in the S&W Report about forest mushrooms. Topics covered in the series include mushroom anatomy, life cycle, habitat, and key identification features of some of Ontario’s common forest mushrooms.
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In Part III, we will look at some common fungi that are found growing on dead, decaying and living trees. This article will provide the reader with information on the habitat, key identification features and a representative photograph for a dozen different species.
Although many of the fungi presented in this article cannot be truly described as being edible, some of them have a long history of being consumed (e.g., as a tonic, tea or capsule) for their medicinal properties. Read on to learn about how some fungi are valued more for their medicinal properties then their good taste.
Warning! Edible fungi are often very similar in appearance to poisonous kinds. This information is intended simply as an introduction to mushroom identification and the information provided in this article should not be used alone in the identification of fungi intended for consumption. Prior to consuming mushrooms for medicinal purposes you should consult with your physician
Fungi Identification
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
Habitat – a parasitic, chaga (also known as cinder conk) primarily grows on birch and sometimes on ironwood, elm, alder, beech and other hardwood species.
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Is it a mycorrhizal, saprobic or a parasite?
Fungi are unique, unlike plants, fungi cannot make their own food.
Mushrooms classified as parasitic consume the living tissues of other organisms, sometimes killing them in the process.
Mushrooms classified as mycorrhizal are involved in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with the roots of plants — usually trees.
Mushrooms classified as saprobes survive by decomposing dead or decaying organic material.
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Chaga is well-known in Russian folklore and was used as a medicinal tonic used to treat stomach discomforts. 3
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Description — the cap is 5-13 cm across and looks like charred wood or a canker-like growth. The cap is hard and brittle, the outer portion is black to a dark brown and the inner part of the cap is a yellow-brown colour.
Medicinal uses — chaga is well-known in Russian folklore and was used as a medicinal tonic used to treat stomach discomforts. More recent studies have shown that an active compound (inotodiol) in chaga showed activity against influenza viruses and various cancer cells.
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Birch polypore (Piptoporus betulinus)
Habitat — a saprobic and possibly a parasitic, the birch polypore can be found growing on dead and sometimes living birch trees and logs.
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Birch polypore is edible when young; however, due to its woody texture is tough and tastes like cork. 1
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Description — the cap is 5-25 cm across, broadly convex and is hoof shaped. The cap’s surface is whitish to brownish and the underside pore surface is whitish aging to a greyish brown colour. The stem is absent. This fungus is an annual and has a white spore print.
Medicinal Uses — this fungus is edible when young; however, due to its woody texture is tough and tastes like cork. It is known to have antibiotic properties and was found in the belongings on the body of the Tyrolean Ice Man who died about 5,300 years ago.
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Artist's Conk (Ganoderma applanatum)
Habitat — a saprobic and sometimes a parasitic, the artist’s conk can be found growing on most species of hardwoods and conifers. It can be found alone or in clusters, on live trees, dead trees, decaying logs and stumps. It is a perennial.
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The artist’s conk is said to have properties that strengthen the immune system. 2
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Description — the cap is 5-75 cm across, generally fan-shaped with a dull varnished wrinkled surface with coloured brownish to greyish wavy zones. The underside pore surface is white to a brownish-olive colour, bruising to a brown colour. The stem is usually absent and these fungi produce a brown spore print.
Medicinal Uses — the artist’s conk is said to have antibiotic and antiviral properties that can strengthen the immune system to fight cancer, stop pain, eliminate indigestion and reduce phlegm.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Habitat — a saprobic, reishi (or varnish conk) is found primarily on dead/decaying hardwood logs and stumps.
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Reishi has been known as a traditional Chinese medicinal fungi for thousands of years in the quest for health, wisdom and spiritual realization. 5
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Description — the cap is 2-20 cm across, fan-shaped and its surface has a varnish-type finish. When young its surface has red, yellow, and white zones and as it matures it turns reddish to reddish-brown with a creamy white margin. The underside pore surface is white, becoming a sullied brown colour with age.
The stem is generally present, but may be absent, and is 3-14 cm long and up to 3 cm thick. It is twisted and varnished and coloured similar to the cap. This fungus is an annual, has brown flesh and produces a brown spore print.
Medicinal Uses — reishi has been known as a traditional Chinese medicinal fungi for thousands of years in the quest for health, wisdom and spiritual realization. Today, this fungus could be considered a "one pill for all that ails you." It is used to stimulate the immune system, as an anti-tumour agent, kidney and liver tonic, enhances red and white blood cells and as an anti-inflammatory.
Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae)
Habitat — a saprobic, the hemlock varnish conk grows on decaying conifer logs and stumps (especially hemlock).
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The hemlock varnish shelf conk is similar in appearance and colour to reishi, with the exception that it has paler flesh and is found on conifers. 1
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Description — the cap is 5-30 cm across, has a varnish-like finish and when mature is fan-shaped. The underside pores surface is white, aging to a dingy brown colour. The stem is 3-14 cm long, twisted; however, in some cases may be absent. The hemlock varnish shelf conk is similar in appearance and colour to reishi, with the exception that it has paler flesh and is found on conifers.
Medicinal Uses — a number of medical studies have looked at this fungus for its antioxidant properties, its ability to heal skin wounds, and its potential use in therapy for cervical cancer.
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Tinder Polypore (Fomes fomentarius)
Habitat — a saprobic and sometimes a parasitic, the tinder polypore (or hoof fungus) is found mainly on decaying heartwood and sapwood of dead hardwood trees; however, at times you will also find it attacking living trees. It can be found growing singularly or in groups.
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Historically, tinder polypore has been used as a styptic to stop bleeding. 4
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Description — the fruiting body is about 10-15 cm across, 3-25 cm wide, 2-20 cm thick and a distinctive hoof-shape. The upper surface is dark pale grey and the underside (pore surface) is light cream colour, gradually changing to light gray-brown with age. The pore surface will darken when handled. This fungus is a perennial and produces a light to dark brown spore print.
Medicinal Uses — the tinder polypore has been shown to contain iodine, fomentariol and other substances that are active against bacteria and against tumours. Historically, it has been used as a styptic to stop bleeding, a remedy against dysmenorrhea, hemorrhoids, and bladder disorders, and used in Siberia as snuff or mixed with tobacco. It was also found among the belongings of the Tyrolean Ice Man.
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Habitat — a saprobic, turkey tail is found primarily on dead hardwoods and occasionally on conifers. This fungus is generally found growing in dense overlapping clusters, in rows or singularly on logs and stumps.
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Turkey tail is recognized as a supplement to conventional cancer treatments for its ability to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. 6
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Description — the fruiting body ranges from 1-10 cm across, fan to kidney-shaped and are thin (only a few millimetres) and flexible when young. The cap’s surface is velvety and will often have zones of highly variable colours of white, brown, reddish-brown and grey. The underside pores are whitish to pale grayish and do bruise. The spore print is whitish.
Medicinal Uses — this fungus is recognized as a supplement to conventional cancer treatments for its ability to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. It is also known to have anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-oxidant and immune-boosting properties.
References
Biology, Ecology, and Social Aspects of Wild Edible Mushrooms in the Forests of the Pacific Northwest: A Preface to Managing Commercial Harvest, General Technical Report PNW-GTR-309. USDA Forest Service.
Some Edible Fungi Growing on Trees in Northeast Woodlots. USDA Forest Service.
Recommended Reading
Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing & Culture, by Christopher Hobbs. Available on Amazon.com
North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi, by Dr. Orson Miller Jr. Available at the Forest Shop at (613) 233-4283 for $35.95.
Mushrooms of Ontario and Eastern Canada, by George Barron. Available at the Forest Shop at (613) 233-4283 for $29.95
Photo Credits
1 Linda Haugen, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
2 Tom Laurent, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
3, 4 Joseph O'Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
5 Edward L. Barnard, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org
6 Francis Gwyn Jones, Bugwood.org
To read Part I and II in this series of articles on forest mushrooms can be found in the S&W Library.
This article appeared in the Winter/Spring 2008 (Volume 49) edition of the S&W Report, the newsletter of the Ontario Woodlot Association.
© 2008 Ontario Woodlot Association
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