OT A fungus among us

Found this growing next to an old oak stump on my property. It's about the size of a head of lettuce and very pretty. Reminds me of a piece of coral. I wonder if it's edible??
BillL

Look up "hen of the woods"

(quoted from post at 17:40:45 08/02/14) Look up "hen of the woods"

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I don't believe that's what I have. The fronds on this aren't overlapping.
BillL

Read here or ask questions . . .

http://forums.kountrylife.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=284114

Yeah, it"s not a perfect match. I was wondering if maybe it was a young one that hadn"t turned dark yet.

Would you believe "cauliflower mushroom". Found it in one of
my books.

My dad always said if it grows on wood it's safe to eat. But is it
actually on the stump?

I heard it on a cooking show about mushrooms that they all are edible once.

(quoted from post at 19:18:30 08/02/14) My dad always said if it grows on wood it's safe to eat. But is it
actually on the stump?

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Nope, it's in the ground, next to the stump. Just dirt & leaves.
http://www.medicalmushrooms.net/sparassis-crispa/
I believe this is it ^^. Says it's tasty and medicinal, guess I'll ask the wife if she wants to saute a mess of it for me.
Ah, here's a recipe for a soup, mmmm good.
http://honest-food.net/2014/02/27/sparassis-cauliflower-mushroom/

BillL

don"t think this was written in the usa. Bill

Sparassis Crispa (Cauliflower Mushroom, Hanabiratake)

Sparassis crispa - The Cauliflower mushroom, HanabiratakeThis mushroom is both parasitic and saprophytic. It derives its name from Cauliflower, the vegetable, because it resembles its head. Alternatively, it is said to look like a brain and hence its nickname, the Brain Fungus. It is also referred to by other names such as Hen of the Woods, the Ruffle Mushroom, the White Fungus or Hanabiratake in Japanese.

It’s generally shaped like an irregular sphere on a short stem. The colour of its spores ranges variously from white to pale yellow.

It thrives at and around the base of conifer trees. It also likes hardwoods like the Pine. Farmers in Japan, Australia, the US and Korea are now growing this mushroom commercially. The Sparassis Crispa generally grows in temperate zones.

This is a very delicious mushroom. It is ready for picking when still white but if it overstays on the farm and turns yellow, it can give you indigestion. However, it can be dried and preserved as it remains cartilaginous with all its nutrients.

It is a very big mushroom that can weigh upwards of 6kg.

Before preparing it, ensure that you wash it keenly to remove all dirt residues within its creases.