{"id":20841,"date":"2022-10-25T10:47:16","date_gmt":"2022-10-25T08:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=124659"},"modified":"2022-10-25T11:03:18","modified_gmt":"2022-10-25T09:03:18","slug":"bracket-fungi-guide-common-uk-species-and-identification","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/bracket-fungi-guide-common-uk-species-and-identification\/","title":{"rendered":"Bracket fungi guide: common UK species and identification"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Dave Hamilton\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 25 October 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Bracket fungi, widely known as polypore or shelf fungi, are a group of fungi that grow on the trunks of dead, dying and sometimes living trees.<\/p>\n

They are known for producing woody, bracket-shaped fruiting bodies and can be found throughout the UK, all year round.<\/p>\n

Bracket fungi generally\u00a0consume the wood of host trees, but some can grow in the soil.<\/p>\n

There are more than 1,000\u00a0described species of bracket fungi worldwide. Here we take a look at some of the most common UK species, including birch polypore, chicken of the woods and turkey tail.<\/p>\n

As always, care should be taken if handling fungi, and anyone wishing to consume edible bracket fungi should only do so if they are 100% sure that they have correctly identified the species.<\/p>\n

Looking to learn more about Britain\u2019s incredible wildlife? Check out BBC Countryfile Magazine\u2019s guides to nuts and seeds<\/a>, geese species<\/a> and British deer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Chicken of the woods, also known as sulphur shelf mushroom, is one of the easiest bracket fungi to identify thanks to its bright sulphur colours\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Bracket fungi UK \u2013 six common species<\/h2>\n

Turkey tail,\u00a0Trametes versicolor<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Turkey tail is found mostly on fallen broadleaf trees\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

A fungus producing multiple fan-shaped brackets, turkey tail is amongst the most common bracket fungi found in the UK . Its Latin genus name roughly translates as \u2018several colours\u2019 as, rather like Saturn\u2019s rings, or indeed a turkey\u2019s tail, the brackets have a concentric ringed pattern.<\/p>\n

Found on<\/strong>: Mostly on fallen broadleaf trees, occasionally dead coniferIs turkey tail edible?<\/strong>\u00a0Tough \u2013 inedible<\/p>\n

Want to know more about Britain\u2019s fantastic fungi?<\/h4>\n

The UK\u2019s woods, riverbanks and meadows are home to roughly 15,000 species of wild mushrooms. Find out how to identify the most common species found in Britain, plus essential safety tips on which mushrooms are edible or poisonous in BBC Countryfile Magazine\u2019s British fungi guide.<\/p>\n