One of my favorite things about our little homestead is seeing what different things pop up in our surroundings each season. Spring comes with an array of new things every year. Today's adventure was searching for different fungi around our home area. Here are a few that I've found in Tennessee.
Mock Oyster Mushroom:
This was my first find of the day. Mock Oyster Mushrooms get their name bc they look like the tastier version of mushroom called Oyster Mushrooms. While not poisonous these mushrooms do have a sulfur or rotten vegetable smell so eating them is likely not pleasant. Their spore print is pink and they can be found on rotting logs.
Turkey Tail Mushroom (The cancer fighter):
These guys were quite common in my trails. Turkey Tail Mushrooms come in an array of colors but always have a fanned turkey tail shape. They are known for their wonderful health benefits against cancer as well as strengthening the immune system. (I will provide a link to info on the cancer treatments at the bottom of this post) The spore print is white to yellow and it can be found on trees and rotting logs.
Hen of the Woods:
Very similar to the Turkey Tail Mushroom in design I was made aware that this pretty cluster is actually Hen of the Woods. This mushroom is a popular culinary delight in Japan by its other name the Maitake Mushroom. This mushroom is characterized by its curved or spoon shape and it's wavey strips. They grow in clusters around trees or logs. These look like last year's leftover bunch. The spore print for this one is white.
Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom: 