Hello Folks! Fungi come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colours. Whilst some are edible, others are poisonous and best avoided. They can be found almost everywhere and are often easily overlooked. Many can be seen in woodland and meadow, especially at this time of year.Each Monday for 12 weeks I will be posting a little teaser for you. Without looking in books or on the internet (i.e - no cheating), see if you can identify the UK fungus. On Wednesday, so as long as no-one has guessed it, I will post one clue. On Friday I will post the answer along with some additional information for your interest.MYSTERY FUNGI QUIZ #2A cutting storm off.
I still think you are spot on, Seaman. Otzi was found to be carrying in his kit, among other things, birch fungus.
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Tony
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Thanks TJ,forgot that bit,going back in my box now.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
I must keep an eye open for this fungus as my cut-throat razor needs sharpening.
Sounds harsh what TeeJay wrote about the razor, but again it is correct too, as far as I remember the Swiss guys found out that Oetzi was murdered several thousand years ago, and they found out that he had arthritis.
Answer tomorrow folks :)
Uh Uh time for me to get back in my box before the laughs !!
Am not saying nuffin'.
Now here is an interesting fact, he was carrying 2 types of fungus - one was a birch fungus and the other was a 'tinder' fungus for either starting fires or would have been floated in fat to act as a form of candle wick - the joys of living with a teenager who in the summer dresses up as a neolithic demonstrator of our local heritage society! and no she did not carry posters saying 'Down with Wooly Mammoths' as her father suggested :)
Caroline in Jersey
Cin J
Congratulations to all of you who guessed Razor strop (Piptoporus betulinus). Also known as Birch polypore or Birch bracket. First a bit about the clues: A cutting storm off. Razors cut and a strop may be another way to describe someone storming off. The second clue: I was carried in Otzi's med kit! Known for its medicinal qualities, this fungus was found with Otzi a 5,000 mummy found in Tyrol. He might have also used this fungus to polish the blades of his razor had they been invented yet :)
Belonging to the Fomitopsidaceae family, the Razor strop is an edible fungus with a bitter taste. With a pale grey-brown surface, the underside is cream in colour and dotted with thousands of pores. Rubbery in texture, this fungus develops a cork-like texture with age. Found jutting of the barks of tree, the fruit body can last for over a year.
A picture of a Razor strop can be seen here.
Did you know that: the Razor strop fungus contains a compound that is poisonous to the whipworm Trichuris trichura.Keep an eye out for next weeks fun(gi) quiz!
Take care,
Claire
Seaman,congratulations better become a Jack In The Box very quickly.