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Merryshroomer
Fellow forager


Registered: 12/21/19
Posts: 23
Loc: Dorset, United Kingdom
Last seen: 1 year, 9 months
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Can you eat Laetiporus (cotw) from a conifer?
#26922307 - 09/07/20 01:57 AM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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Hello!
I've had a positive ID on my find from a few different sources for Laetiporus sulphureus (image below). I found it on a tree stump surrounded by some conifers in Surrey, England and suspect the stump itself was also a conifer.
There were a few bits of cedar leaf and bark I cut out when cutting the mushroom up, now it's clear of those. However, I read on some sources that the mushroom can contain toxins when growing on conifers, especially yew.
Contrarily, I've also read a couple of reports from foragers claiming they often harvest and eat cotw from conifers without any problems. In fact, Paul Stamets released a video yesterday of exactly this where he harvests cotw from a conifer and shows you how to cook it!
Can anyone shed some light on this? I haven't tried the cotw yet but it's chopped and ready to go.
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raffib128
Stranger


Registered: 08/05/20
Posts: 299
Loc: Vermont
Last seen: 2 days, 18 hours
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Re: Can you eat Laetiporus (cotw) from a conifer? [Re: Merryshroomer]
#26922437 - 09/07/20 05:16 AM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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L. sulphereus often grows on Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock) in my area. Some people reportedly have a problem consuming it, so it's best to be cautious. Small amounts well-cooked on your first try sort of thing.
Yews are very poisonous, and I wouldn't eat it if you can't tell. Fortunately, my native yew species is a little shrub, so I don't have to worry about that. There are ways to identify stumps by looking at the rate of decay and the types of fungi growing on them and looking for fin wood etc.
Edit: Species on the chickens growing on hemlocks is actually L. huroniensis, differentiated only by it's substrate, as it is morphologically identical.
-------------------- Same username on Inaturalist.
Edited by raffib128 (09/07/20 05:19 AM)
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Merryshroomer
Fellow forager


Registered: 12/21/19
Posts: 23
Loc: Dorset, United Kingdom
Last seen: 1 year, 9 months
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Re: Can you eat Laetiporus (cotw) from a conifer? [Re: raffib128]
#26922497 - 09/07/20 06:37 AM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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Thanks for the advice, I've thrown it in the compost. I collected five B. edulis yesterday as well and there's still loads left after two meals, so it's not like I'm desperate for something to eat.
You're lucky for not having to deal with the yew tree, it's so poisonous that even picking mushrooms that grow near one is dangerous. Mind you, I know there are plenty of other things to be careful of in the Canadian wilderness.
I've never tried cotw before so I will do the small taster method when I eventually find (or grow) some.
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MerryMoose
I'm a moose!



Registered: 01/02/20
Posts: 67
Loc: Ohio
Last seen: 1 year, 3 months
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Re: Can you eat Laetiporus (cotw) from a conifer? [Re: Merryshroomer]
#26922609 - 09/07/20 08:19 AM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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I just watched this (it was posted earlier today or last night) and Stamets mentions that the bacteria contamination is responsible for GI issues.
I actually commented on the video to ask about whether some species are more susceptible to bacteria contamination as a possible reason more people tolerate different species better than others.
also #MerryGang represent
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Merryshroomer
Fellow forager


Registered: 12/21/19
Posts: 23
Loc: Dorset, United Kingdom
Last seen: 1 year, 9 months
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Re: Can you eat Laetiporus (cotw) from a conifer? [Re: MerryMoose]
#26923221 - 09/07/20 02:42 PM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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Yeah, for sure Stamets is right about contam causing poisoning, but I'm not sure if it's the cause of 100% of the poisonings. There are quite a few reports of people getting sick from cotw harvested from conifers in particular.
Would be nice if there was more lab-based research on the topic instead of people just eating them and writing about it.
Haha yeah man, stay merry!
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Doc9151
Mycologist



Registered: 02/23/17
Posts: 13,753
Loc: Gulf Coast USA
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
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Re: Can you eat Laetiporus (cotw) from a conifer? [Re: Merryshroomer] 1
#26923282 - 09/07/20 03:37 PM (3 years, 5 months ago) |
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There are many variables on what may be causing illness. could be undercooked mushrooms, sensitivity, substrate etc. I agree that studies would help us to understand more about what the causes may be, but anecdotal reports can be just as useful if people would be more thorough with their documentation.
--------------------
  Psilocybe cubensis data collection thread. please help with this project if you hunt wild cubensis. https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=26513593&page=0&vc=1#26513593
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