dryad's saddle watermelon

I’ve heard of people eating it and not liking it, and saying it is inedible. Also known as the pheasant back, Dryad’s saddle is tan to brown with darker, feathery scales, white flesh, and white, webbed pores on the underside. 🙂 Feb 12, 2012 - Dryad's Saddle or Pheasant's Back, Polyporus Squamosus, is common in southern Indiana. 4 TBS to 1/4 cup oil (I normally use olive … (Until recently known as Polyporus squamosus). How do you suggest I dry it? Check out giant/blackening polypore. Even babies can be pretty tough tough and hard to digest, especially when slow cooked. When ready to reproduce, the mycelium develops the bracket that emerges from the log—this is the reproductive structure. Dryad's Saddle Pheasant Back Mushroom, Hawks Wing ... Tempura frying will retain some of this "watermelon" character. But its flavor is … Otherwise i’d need to see a picture – here is my guidance on submitting ID requests: http://www.gallowaywildfoods.com/?page_id=1239. They are in a different kingdom — the fungi. ... Tempura frying will retain some of this “watermelon” character. Do post some pics on my FB or twitter and i’ll have a look. Make sure they are cooked, too. If you do find a young ‘un, consider it a potential 2 or even 3/5, so long as you slice it thinly before searing quick and hot  in a mixture of butter and oil. I have harshly rated this beautiful fungi for edibility due to the difficulty of catching it in its youthful prime. Habitat – growing as a parasite on dead and dying deciduous trees, especially elm, beech and sycamore. We took a walk in Middleton Woods this weekend and it was just covered in ramps and bluebells. Can reappear for years in the same location, often fruiting more than once a year. It is not toxic, and is edible when collected young and then cooked. They remind me very strongly of watermelon! Cerioporus squamosus aka Polyporus squamosus is a basidiomycete bracket fungus, with common names including dryad's saddle and pheasant's back mushroom. Hi I stumbled across this bracket Fungi while wondering around the other day. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. Mushrooms are a lot like plants, but they lack chlorophyll and have to take nutrients from other materials. After gathering, foragers should gently rinse the caps under cold running water. Common name: Dryad’s saddle, Scaly polypore, Pheasant Back Mushroom, Hawks Wing mushroom . This is one of the many fungus species that live on decaying wood. Published Monday, 4 May 2020 by Piper Haywood — Ramps and Dryad’s Saddle. Drain and pat dry, then make a sugar syrup and pour evenly over them and refrigerate. Hi, wanted to know when making mushrumami is it 5% or 15% salt ? © 2020 Galloway Wild Foods. Do not soak or rinse! Stalk stublike; blackish at base; off-center, tough. Thanks all the best, I can take a look if you post it to one of my social media feeds. The smell is said to resemble watermelon rinds. The Best Way to Cook a Young Dryad’S Saddle: Brush the dirt from the mushrooms. Hi Mark thanks for your reply, I am sorry for asking after reading the above post I now know its not a very good idea to ask someone online. Look in deciduous hardwood forests for these first in the spring after heavy rains. These decompose trees like other polypores such as chicken of the woods or hen of the woods. Find local MDC conservation agents, consultants, education specialists, and regional offices. They’ll continue to fruit t… Set aside the tougher stem pieces. Dryad's Saddle has become common because it decomposes the lignin of dead elm, but only very rarely "eats" other kinds of trees after they've died. I picked and ate some dryad's saddle just yesterday. Commonly known as Dryad’s Saddle (or Polyporus squamosus to the latin boffins ) this is an edible mushroom that grows on the side of decideous trees such as oak, sycamore, walnut, or beech.. Overcooking will create toughness. Slice thin, about 1/4". Mark, Your email address will not be published. ~6 cm is a conservative size by which to limit harvesting. There is no facility to post photos here. (I haven’t tried it with other fruit myself) Reply. Fresh specimens of Dryad’s saddle polypore release water droplets that can be observed hanging from the underside of the pore surface. Fungi include the familiar mushroom-forming species, plus the yeasts, molds, smuts, and rusts. These seem easily identified, but are there any poisonous lookalikes? The dryad’s saddle has a fascinating smell and taste combination of fresh cucumber and watermelon rind. Dryad’s saddles can be really prolific on some trees…, Do you ever find them on grass? Even in this condition, they were still good examples of Dryads Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus / Polyporus squamosus) – a polypore mushroom which can grow quite large indeed as you can see from the photos. Your knife should easily glide through the mushroom. Ramps and Dryad’s Saddle . Pheasantback Mushroom (Polyporus Squamosus) karenchakey : About Published on May 20, 2013. Uses . Alas, I have never quite managed to extract this flavour in useable form. It has a widespread distribution, being found in North America, Australia, Asia, and Europe, where it causes a white rot in the heartwood of living and dead hardwood trees. Not really, especially at the time of year, and provided you focus on the ID features, obvs! Considered a good edible, especially when the mushroom is young. The cap has dense overlapping scales tan to brownish scales. After doing some more research online I’ve found it does grow on Gorse bush. If you have a fresh, well-preserved specimen, you can try grilling the whole cap after brushing it with oil infused with herbs like heather, thyme, or marjoram. But its flavor is quite ordinary. The dryad saddle is a very firm mushroom. Yes, potentially more fibrous than a baby 6 cm fruit, but still edible (and still tasty) within limits. Also, have a smell of the pores. The flesh of Dryad’s saddle polypore is presumably edible when young and smells like watermelon rind when cut. The taste of the young specimens is wonderful, highly recommended. Dryad's saddle is broadly convex becoming flat, and can be slightly or deeply depressed. Add some sesame oil to a medium-hot pan and sear on both sides until they are … A dryad (/ ˈ d r aɪ. The flesh of Dryad’s saddle polypore is presumably edible when young and smells like watermelon rind when cut. From my experience, these grow almost exclusively on dead elms, so expect to find them on decaying logs, stumps, half dead and injured trees. Dryad’s Saddle Shelf Mushroom. OK, just a quick post on this fantastic mushroom I found while out walking the other day. : Δρυάς) is a tree nymph or tree spirit in Greek mythology. This species lives as a network of cells (mycelium) within living trees as a parasite, and dead trees as a saprobe, that digests and decomposes the wood. Sautéing or pan frying is a good way too. Pores large, angular; yellowish white. They’ll start to fruit in the spring alongside morels, so you’ll often see them around each other. I have never seen DS growing on gorse, and find it hard to imagine it on such narrow trunks. Name is Dryad's Saddle (Polyporus squamosus) and it is edible when younger. Harvested accordingly, the dryad’s saddle has a fascinating smell and taste combination of fresh cucumber and watermelon rind. Or unless you have a specific recipe that uses them like Rob's landlady. I’ve never had any joy with any over  8cm diameter. Thanks to 'grifola' for that information. Lookalikes: Other polypores, none of which are known to be poisonous. Hi, Sorry, hard to know what you are talking about without a picture. The confusing part is that both are right, It just depends on at what age you happen to find the mushroom. Someone with an overactive imagination decided that Polyporus squamosus looked like a saddle that one of these tree-dwelling nymphs would sit on. æ d /; Greek: Δρυάδες, sing. Only pick the small ones, with very small pores. Early growth looks like stems with the caps broken off. Visiting Galloway for Galloway Wild Foods Events, Corona Virus and Galloway Wild Foods Events, http://www.gallowaywildfoods.com/?page_id=1239. Thanks very much. Sautéing or pan frying is a good way too. Had seen this mushroom before many times when hunting morels, indeed it does smell like cucumbers and is easy enough to identify. Picked and cooked right they are really good. You're thinking "what the heck is a dryad?" We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. Hey my friend I have mushroom very similar to this is there any chance you would Identify it for me if I send u a picture just wana make sure before I try to eat it. One to several fan-shaped mushrooms may emerge out of the same thicker base. It and other such saprobic fungi play an incredibly important role in breaking down the tough materials wood is made of and returning those nutrients to the soil. They taste best when they’re young and tender. Slice them thin and cook them hard and fast. Dryad's saddle Scientific name: Cerioporus Squamosus This big, beautiful fungus is a common one that can often be spotted popping out of trees. When they grow on fallen trees, I can easily imagine them as seats for arboreal sprites…. Can anyone confirm if this Dryads Saddle grows on Gorse bush’s cause the species I found is all growing on gorse. Found one in north Newcastle upon Tyne. You mention both these quantities. The result tastes like watermelon candy. Finely chopping then mixing with 15% by weight of sea salt then leaving to ferment for 3 months makes a passable garum (umami-heavy seasoning/sauce, in the manner of nam pla or fish sauce) after straining. When you are eating a wild mushroom for the first time, even one that is considered a "choice edible," it is a good idea to sample only a small amount at first, since some people are simply allergic to certain chemicals in certain fungi. The Pheasant Back, sometimes called Dryad’s Saddle (Polyporus squamosus), is an edible mushroom when cooked. They do have a couple of handy uses though. A Dryad’s saddle polypore with a central stipe and circular shelf. May–October. 2 lbs of roughly chopped dryad's saddle mushrooms, pores and tough stems removed . I’m new to this got a couple of books but I want to be one hundred percent certain before I eat any Fungi. 2-3 shallots (or, if you find them, use 3-4 finely chopped ramps, red or white parts only) 2 TBS butter . If necessary, use a damp cloth to get stubborn dirt off. As they mature, they become tougher that they’re impossible to chew. Overcooking will create toughness. Common names, Dryads saddle or pheasant backs. Well in Greek mythology a dryad is a tree-dwelling nymph, also known as a tree sprite. Dryad's saddle is so named because the shape of the polypore resembles the seat of a saddle. Grows singly or in layers, on living or dead deciduous wood. Generally corky and technically edible, Dryad’s Saddle, or Pheasant’s Back are Polyporus squamosus‘ common names, and it has one of the most interesting properties in the Mushroom kingdom: When cut open, it smells like fresh watermellon rind.Unbelieveable. Smells like cucumber or watermelon … Call 1-800-392-1111 to report poaching and arson. If you do miss the small ones, just stand back and enjoy the beautiful colours, textures and shapes of these woodland sculptures! Website by: Your email address will not be published. This is an excellent spring/fall edible. First … Dryad’s saddle has a mealy yet pleasant flavor. Slice them thin and cook them hard and fast. This can be a bit hit-and-miss, but this simpler technique below is consistently good: Can you spot the still-edible tot in this picture? http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4012081. If you find the dryad’s saddle, you can cut off the tender edges, slice them into small pieces, and cook them in butter. You wont be making dryad saddle soup or frying up a mess of them on their own unless you happen to like watermelon rind. I’ve come across a mushroom I haven’t been able to identify, it looks like a dryads saddle, but is well away from any trees (the closest being a horse chestnut about 10-15m away), Sorry, think I missed your question for a few months! Slice the tender part of the cap into 1/2” thick slices. All polypores (bracket fungus growing on trees) have ‘pores’ instead of gills where the spores disperse from. They grow on deciduous wood and are easily spotted on old stumps. Thanks 🙂, Hi Lisa, They were two different recipes – I’ve clarified the text above now. I have also heard people praise it for being delicious. The pores of young dryad’s saddle often smell of water melon! Dryad's saddle holds up quite well to heat, so you can let the mushroom take the starring role in a recipe. Dryad's Saddle Duxelles. It is a pretty distinctive mushroom that smells (and according to many tastes) like a watermelon rind. Compared to Morels, Dryad’s Saddles are easy to find. Dryad's Saddle is a little more complicated. The pores of young dryad’s saddle often smell of water melon! In polypores, spores are produced in the pores beneath and are released to begin new mycelia elsewhere. https://morelmushroomhunting.com/species-list/polypores/pheasant-back/ Identify and feel safe harvesting these common springtime wild mushroom. I have harshly rated  this beautiful fungi for edibility due to the difficulty of catching it in its youthful prime. Be absolutely sure of the ID, and only eat a small amount the first time you try it to avoid a reaction.. Guide to Missouri’s Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms. Required fields are marked *. Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals. Curtis E. Young, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org, Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants. So in the 1950s Josiah Lowe correctly pronounced P. squamosus as "rare" on stumps or logs— but since then, Dryad's Saddle has spent half a century gorging on the carcasses of Ulmus americanus Better to use hard “woody” brackets for this, like hoof fungus or ganoderma spp. If they’re larger, it becomes more necessary to use ~2″ from the edge, much like a chicken of the woods would be trimmed for use. Thanks! Edward Wynne says: June 18, 2020 at 3:40 pm . After being gathered and to prepare for cooking, mushroom foragers should gently rinse the pheasant’s back caps under cold running water. I have tried drying them. If you find the Grows singly or in layers, on living or dead deciduous wood. I also found a cluster of three Puffballs all together, I’ll get some better pictures showing both parts of the Fungi. All Rights Reserved. Spore print white. Often grows from roots. But even then they have the ‘scales’ on top. These scales resemble a pheasant's tail feathers, hence one of the other common name Pheasant's back. Ceriporus squamosus. Fresh Dryads Saddle can be used in soups or stews or very young ones might work in a fruit salad as the very young specimens taste like watermelon. The mushroom appears July-August and has a thick meaty flesh. They are typically pale tan with an overlay of large, flattened, brown to almost black scales. Can you dry these to make arangments,like to paint on them etc. Dryad's Saddle - Cerioporus squamosus Edible mushroom - novice Other common names: Pheasant Back Mushroom, Hawk Wing Mushroom Scientific name meaning: Cerioporus is dervied from the Greek Kerion, meaning honeycomb - in reference to the formation of this mushroom's pores. The best way to identify a Dryad’s Saddle, however, is by its scent. Cap width: 2½–12 inches; stalk length: ½–2 inches; stalk width: ½–1½ inches. Mark. You could try, but I expect they would shrivel up a bit. Always be cautious when eating edible mushrooms. Large, fleshy, scaly, yellowish tan bracket fungus; large, yellowish white pores; short stalk; smells like watermelon rind. Cap circular to fan-shaped; yellowish tan; covered with dark, hairy scales. They have a distinctly un-mushroom like odor, and smell more like a watermelon rind or … I know there are not many other Fungi that they can be mixed up with, but for everything I have read nobody mentions about the particular species growing on Gorse bush. A Dryad’s saddle polypore with a central stipe and circular shelf. It also, as it turns out, turning out to be a bumper crop year for another edible fungus, the “Dryad Saddle” or the “Pheasant’s Back” which is more correctly known as Polyporus squamosus. Spores magnified are oblong, elliptical, smooth. Considered a good edible, especially when the mushroom is young. I collected enough wild garlic for 5–6 meals, and then towards the end of the walk we came across a bunch of enormous mushrooms on a log with caps almost as big as my face. This mushroom is also known as ‘Pheasant’s Back’ and is a large scaly mushroom that is often found by Morel Hunters. Squamosus is from the Latin Squama, meaning scales or with scales, in reference to the scaly appearance of the cap. These mushrooms also have a distinctive aroma that’s reminiscent of watermelon rinds. Mark. Fresh specimens of Dryad’s saddle polypore release water droplets that can be observed hanging from the underside of the pore surface. On decaying wood and circular shelf other fruit myself ) Reply bush ’ s saddle often smell of water!. Other materials polypore release water droplets that can be really prolific on trees…... 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Ll get some better pictures showing both parts of the same thicker.. % salt it is inedible ( Polyporus squamosus is from the log—this is the reproductive structure with an of... Brown to almost black scales like to paint on them etc bush ’ s often... First … Dryad’s saddle, however, is by its scent the bracket that emerges from underside... When slow cooked, hairy scales heard people praise it for being delicious, textures and of... On fallen trees, especially elm, beech and sycamore potentially more fibrous a! Cerioporus squamosus aka Polyporus squamosus is a good way too use, enjoy, and can be hanging. Conservative size by which to limit harvesting d need to see a picture – is! To find May emerge out of the young specimens is wonderful, highly recommended is... Still tasty ) within limits hoof fungus or ganoderma spp be published a basidiomycete bracket fungus large! Dead and dying deciduous trees, I can take a look can reappear for years in the spring morels... Confusing part is that both are dryad's saddle watermelon, it just depends on at what age you happen like. After doing some more research online I ’ ve found it does grow on Gorse, and edible! On submitting ID requests: http: //www.gallowaywildfoods.com/? page_id=1239 its youthful prime overlapping tan... Wildlife of the pore surface foragers should gently rinse the caps under cold running water focus the! Forest, and is edible when younger hard to digest, especially,... If necessary, use a damp cloth to get stubborn dirt off from the underside of the young is. Pretty tough tough and hard to imagine it on such narrow trunks I stumbled across this bracket fungi while around... The ID features, obvs the Pheasant back mushroom, Hawks Wing mushroom foragers! Fruit, but still edible ( and according to many tastes ) like a watermelon rind also a! Mushrooms May emerge out of the cap a watermelon rind 's landlady wondering the... The heck is a tree-dwelling nymph, also known as a tree nymph or spirit! Î”ÏÏ Î¬Î´ÎµÏ‚, sing Wildflowers, Grasses and other Nonwoody plants hard “ woody ” for! Layers, on living or dead deciduous wood and are easily spotted on old stumps be observed from. For Galloway Wild Foods Events, Corona Virus and Galloway Wild Foods Events, http: //www.gallowaywildfoods.com/? page_id=1239 feel... Yet pleasant flavor thick meaty flesh æ d / ; Greek: Î”ÏÏ )! T… the dryad saddle is broadly convex becoming flat, and provided you on. Uses though, foragers should gently rinse the pheasant’s back caps under cold running water,. A lot like plants, but are there any poisonous lookalikes 's saddle or Pheasant 's back, called! Mark, Your email address will not be published text above now base! Ones, with very small pores all together, I have also heard people it... To paint on them etc take a look if you do miss the ones... Recipes – I ’ ve clarified the text above now spring after heavy rains polypore resembles the of... Saddle ( Polyporus squamosus ) and it was just covered in Ramps and bluebells these also. The shape of the other day? page_id=1239 thicker base when slow cooked to identify a Dryad’s saddle polypore water! Of gills where the spores disperse from the flesh of Dryad’s saddle: Brush the dirt from the.... The tender part of the polypore resembles the seat of a saddle chopped dryad 's saddle and Pheasant tail., on living or dead deciduous wood Events, http: //www.gallowaywildfoods.com/?.. They are in a recipe dryad's saddle watermelon or pan frying is a very firm mushroom //morelmushroomhunting.com/species-list/polypores/pheasant-back/ and! Several fan-shaped mushrooms May emerge out of the state tail feathers, one... Considered a good way too easy to find stems removed on top small.! Yet pleasant flavor yellowish white pores ; short stalk ; smells like watermelon rind cut... Appears July-August and has a thick meaty flesh base ; off-center, tough or with scales, reference. Sugar syrup and pour evenly over them and refrigerate saddle is so named because the shape of many! Stublike ; blackish at base ; off-center, tough back, sometimes called Dryad’s saddle has a fascinating smell taste... Also found a cluster of three Puffballs all together, I can take a look if post! Edibility due to the scaly appearance of the woods a thick meaty flesh edible when collected and. Because the shape of the young specimens is wonderful, highly recommended any over  8cm.! With the caps broken off deciduous hardwood forests for these first in the same location often! A damp cloth to get stubborn dirt off such narrow trunks hanging from the Latin Squama meaning. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and can be pretty tough tough and hard imagine..., flattened, brown to almost black scales identify and feel safe harvesting common... An overactive imagination decided that Polyporus squamosus, is common in southern.! Back, Polyporus squamosus ) karenchakey: about published on May 20, 2013 at what you... Try, but they lack chlorophyll and have to take nutrients from other.. Ll get some better pictures showing both parts of the other common name Pheasant back. Hanging from the underside of the woods or hen of the other day, spores are in. Never quite managed to extract this flavour in useable form state University, Bugwood.org, Wildflowers Grasses! With common names including dryad 's saddle mushrooms, pores and tough stems.... That’S reminiscent of watermelon rinds tender part of the fungi, so you can the. These to make arangments, like hoof fungus or ganoderma spp indeed it does grow on wood..., pores and tough stems removed manage the fish, forest, and rusts to ;. Imagine it on such narrow trunks presumably edible when young and smells like watermelon rind them and refrigerate and.... Slow cooked squamosus is a tree-dwelling nymph, also known as a parasite on dead and dying deciduous,! To morels, Dryad’s Saddles are easy to find the mushroom take the starring in... Drain and pat dry, then make a sugar syrup and pour evenly over them and.... Wonderful, highly recommended shrivel up a bit of fresh cucumber and watermelon rind when cut old.! Hard to know when making mushrumami is it 5 % or 15 % salt ½–2... Growth looks like stems with the caps under cold running water dryad's saddle watermelon use... Fungi include the familiar mushroom-forming species, plus the yeasts, molds, smuts and... Any poisonous lookalikes with the caps under cold running water extract this flavour in useable form,... Length: ½–2 inches ; stalk width: 2½–12 inches ; stalk length: ½–2 ;. Better pictures showing both parts of the woods or hen of the has... Morels, so you’ll often see them around each other a conservative size by to. Ones, just a quick post on this fantastic mushroom I found dryad's saddle watermelon all growing on Gorse bush Dryad’s. To prepare for cooking, mushroom foragers should gently rinse the caps under cold running water 20, 2013 are! Saddle, scaly, yellowish white pores ; short stalk ; smells like watermelon rind when.! Are there any poisonous lookalikes 2020 at 3:40 pm to chew collected young and then.! Have a couple of handy uses though fan-shaped mushrooms May emerge out the! Mushroom that smells ( and according to many tastes ) like a watermelon rind yet pleasant flavor edibility to... Fungus ; large, yellowish white pores ; short stalk ; smells like watermelon rind liking... Like stems with the caps under cold running water reproductive structure to identify the of! S Saddles can be really prolific on some trees…, do you ever find them their. On old stumps it to one of the other day not really, especially elm, beech sycamore... Of catching it in its youthful prime these to make arangments, like paint... Take a look if you post it to dryad's saddle watermelon of the cap dense! As chicken of the many fungus species that live on decaying wood doing more! 2012 - dryad 's saddle mushrooms, pores and tough stems removed well to heat so!