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Are these Oyster Mushrooms?

Bluebell*Bluebell* Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hello,

I wonder if anyone can advise on the identity of some mushrooms I found growing on a palm tree stump in my garden. I think they're oyster mushrooms but am not an expert and am concerned that they may not be safe.

Many thanks in advance for your responses.


Posts

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Never get anybody to identify mushrooms from a photograph.  If you don't know that they are safe to eat do not eat them.
  • Bluebell*Bluebell* Posts: 4
    Thank you! I will leave well alone.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2021
    There are very many types of bracket fungi that grow on trees. 
    https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/~brackets.php 

    A photo of the underside will be necessary for anyone to attempt an ID. 

    I think @steephill is pretty knowledgeable but I’m sure he’d agree that you should never eat a fungus that has not been identified by an expert in person. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Bluebell*Bluebell* Posts: 4
    Thank you for your help and detailed response.
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    I don't think they are oyster mushrooms. They are growing on a very unusual substrate for UK native species and the wavy edge is not typical of oysters. One possibility is split-gill mushroom but as said it is not easy to identify from photos. However a closer photo of the underside clearly showing whether it has gills or pores would be helpful. A spore print would also be useful - leave the mushroom cap upwards on a sheet of paper overnight and it will shed spores. The colour of the spores helps with identification.
    If it is split-gill or a variety of oyster then it isn't dangerous and can be removed if you are uncomfortable with their presence. Bearing in mind that all you are seeing is the fruiting body and that the main part of the fungi is embedded in the decaying wood I would just let them be.
  • Bluebell*Bluebell* Posts: 4
    Thank you so much for your response and analysis. I'm so glad I posted this query as had no idea how many things need to be considered for an identification. I'll follow up with a photo and have a go at a spore print. Many thanks again.
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