SINGAPORE: A surprisingly large fungus spotted in Woodlands HDB was captured by a Redditor who then posted it on social media. The photo shows a large, brightly coloured orange and yellow fungus and can be seen growing under a small tree. It has a fan-like shape with multiple layers, resembling shelves stacked on top of each other. The edges are a lighter color, indicating possible new growth.
The huge fungus piqued the interest of Redditors with some dubbing it as a “pizza”, with Redditor WonderfulBlackberry9 jokingly stating, “I asked for mushroom on my pizza, not pizza on my mushroom.” On the other hand, some not knowing what kind of fungus it was, simply said: “Whatever it is, it’s quite beautiful.”
Impossible_Fun9649 shared a more analytical perspective. He noted that the fungus’s appearance bore resemblance to “chicken of the woods,” highlighting its vibrant orange colour and substantial size. But he mentioned that it is important to have an accurate identification and using Google Lens could help identify it better.
SkyEclipse shared a valuable insight, explaining that “Chicken of the Woods” typically grows in clusters. Another commented Singapore’s weather may not be the best place for a chicken of the woods to grow in.
Damien132 just added saying, “If it’s chicken of the woods I want a piece of it to eat.”
But others were more skeptical and said it might be a Reishi mushroom since it resembles it as well. Redditor named nightaid said, “The fungus in the image resembles a species of the Ganoderma genus, which includes species commonly known as “Lingzhi” or “Reishi” mushrooms. These fungi are known for their medicinal properties in various cultures and are characterized by their shiny, varnished appearance and typically reddish-brown color. In Singapore’s climate, Ganoderma species are quite common.”
So, is it really Chicken of the Woods or not?
Chicken of the Woods
According to WildFoodUK Chicken of the Woods is a type of mushroom that’s great for cooking. It’s often used in place of chicken in stews, casseroles, and stir-fries, or marinated in a satay sauce and skewered. This mushroom has a solid and meaty texture, making it a satisfying meat substitute in vegetarian dishes.
It starts as a globular, sulfur-colored fungus, later turning into a fan-like shape that fades to pale yellow or ivory. The tiny, angular pores are white to pale yellow, and the flesh ranges from yellow/orange to ivory/white.
Chicken of the Woods is commonly found on the trunks and stumps of certain trees like Oak, Cherry, Sweet Chestnut, Willow, and Yew. However, if you collect it from Yew trees, which are poisonous, you must be cautious. Some believe that the fungus can absorb toxic compounds from the Yew tree, while others dispute this. It’s best to inspect, trim, and clean specimens carefully if collected from Yew.
The taste and texture of Chicken of the Woods are said to resemble chicken, and it’s frequently used in dishes as a meat substitute. It’s better to eat it when it’s young and fresh because the older it gets, it’s more tough and bitter. While it’s generally safe, some people may have allergic reactions, so it’s advised to start with a small amount.
In North America, Chicken of the Woods is popular and can be blanched and frozen. However, it tends to become woody when frozen, so it’s best enjoyed fresh. It’s a fairly common mushroom, and you can usually find it on trees other than Yew, which is considered less safe due to potential toxicity.
Whether the mushroom is Chicken of the Woods, Reishi or another type of fungus, let’s just hope it’s not like what Redditor KambingOnFire’s referring to – “The Last of Us.”
/TISG
The post appeared first on The Independent News.
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