@beryl Wikipedia : Piptoporus betulinus, commonly known as the birch polypore, birch bracket, or razor strop, is one of the most common polyporous bracket fungi and, as the name suggests, grows almost exclusively on birch trees. The brackets burst out from the bark of the tree, and these fruiting bodies can last for more than a year. Technically, it is an edible mushroom, with a strong, pleasant "mushroomy" odor but a bitter taste. The velvety cut surface of the fruiting body was traditionally used as a strop for finishing the finest of edges on razors. It is also said to have medicinal properties, and this fungus was carried by "Ötzi the Iceman" – the 5,000 year old mummy found in Tyrol
I was thinking of you yesterday when I took my walk. I found all kinds of mushrooms and fungi and was reminded of your recent pictures. I like how stark this tree looks against the white background.
What a great and unusual shot. I love the fungi so clear in your photo and this tree as well. I have fungi growing in our front yard but cannot get a good shot, clear shot. FAV
Cool shot!
Ian