The old Udara (African star apple) tree in my parent’s front yard seems to be saying, “No more fruits? No stress. Here — have some golden-orange mushrooms for your viewing pleasure instead.” Lol.
Every rainy season, this dead Udara log transforms. What was once a dry wood then becomes an apartment for various kinds of mushrooms.
Last season, it housed Scaly Lentinus and a few other inedible mushrooms. This season, the log sprouted clusters of yellow-orange mushrooms instead, so bright you'd be tempted to forage for them and afterwards, prepare creamy mushroom soup, mushroom ragu or even the classic garlic butter sautéed mushrooms. Unfortunately, they're inedible. Hehehe.
The log is just beside my mom's small farm, and I'd gone to check out the fresh ridges she just made, that's when I spotted the mushrooms.
A search identified the mushroom as the "Laughing Jim (Gymnopilus junonius)", and are known to grow in clusters on dead or decaying wood.
Although they're not typically considered deadly, but it's best to avoid consuming them. Some of these wild mushrooms can be toxic.
Honestly, I wished they were edible, would foraged for them and prepared mushroom soup with Achara (edible elephant grass) and uziza leaves.
These one are almost rotten. See how the color is.
Well, I captured them to share with you, and I'd love to know if you've come across this type of mushroom before.
This post is my contribution to FungiFriday, an initiative by @ewkaw. If you've got fungi photos, share them.
Author's Photos
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