Fungus In season
Blackening Polypore
Meripilus
Edible (young; mediocre); forms large overlapping rosettes resembling a can-can skirt; flesh and pore surfaces blacken when bruised; pale tan to chestnut caps.
Parasitic then saprotrophic, typically at the base or on stumps of beech, oak, and other broadleaved trees; widespread across Britain & Ireland, especially in southern regions.
Safe only when very young; older specimens are tough, fibrous, and acidic—some individuals may experience gastric upset; not highly valued culinarly.
Updated 2025-08-26T13:45:18.620Z · Added 2025-08-25T08:39:44.996Z
Part of the shared Foragers Log catalogue · Fungus