Dryad’s Saddle
This fungus was growing on a beech tree in South Oxfordshire.
Although I don’t know much about fungi I’m fairly certain it is called Dryad’s Saddle.
It is tasty when young and tender but tough when older. I didn’t eat this one.
Other names for this fungus are Pheasant’s Back and Hawk’s Wing.
In Greek mythology Dryads are tree nymphs. They feature in the poetry of Milton, Coleridge, Thackeray, Keats and others.
Maybe if I wait quietly nearby I will see these shy creatures.
Ref. Black’s Nature Guides Mushrooms and Toadstools. A and C Black pub. London. 2008
Wikipedia
Advertisements
Tags: dryad's saddle, fungi, fungus, greekmythology, hawk's wing, mythology, pheasant's back, Poetry, toadstool, tree
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
Leave a Reply