Meripilus Sumstinei, Blackstaining Polypore

Michael Kuo says of the Blackstaining Polypore

With similar mushrooms known as the "hen of the woods" and the "chicken of the woods," I think Meripilus sumstinei should be known as the "rooster of the woods," just to add to the confusion--which is already fairly rampant, to judge from the hen-chicken, chicken-hen e-mails I receive confusing the two officially named-for-fowl mushrooms

Mushroomexpert.com

He describes its taste as mild and pleasant, and I would tend to agree. Though I would stress the need to find them young. They rapidly grow tough with age.
I've read other sources that don't recommend it as good edible, describing it as "like eating cardboard". But I've found young meripilus sumstinei are tender with a delicious mushroomy flavor.
These are just babies.

How cute is that?


The slug seems to find this specimen tender enough:P
As the name implies, they have rather an unappetizing tendency to turn black when they're handled.
On one hand it's a useful identifying characteristic.
On the other hand it's a bit disconcerting to look in your bag when you get home and see specimens that look like you forgot about them for like a week.

Considering the shape and the fact it's an edible, I don't know why anyone would think Meripilus Sumstinei was a "toadstool".

But you can't argue with the experts.

Have a toadally awesome #fungifriday everyone!

Thank you @ewKaw for hosting another fantastic #fungifriday:D