# Mushroom Finds - September 2026

## September 2026 - Two bracket fungi by the workshop

Erin photographed two clusters on opposite sides of the driveway near the workshop. Photo-confirmed sightings on the property - **no mushroom should be eaten based only on a photo**. IDs are guesses from photos alone; confirm with a field guide / spore print / local expert before ever considering edibility.

### Reishi (*Ganoderma* sp.) - on rough-barked tree trunk by workshop

![Reishi cluster by the workshop](https://wiki.flora.family/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/img-b42e6a45a775.jpg)

- **ID:** Reishi / woody bracket (~*Ganoderma lucidum* / *resinaceum* complex; possibly *tsugae* if on hemlock)
- **Look:** glossy/lacquered caps, zoned, deep red-brown center fading to cream/white growing margin; overlapping shelves
- **Texture:** hard, corky, woody - NOT fleshy
- **NOT chicken of the woods** (that's sulfur-yellow/orange, soft, fleshy)
- **Edible?** No culinary use (woody). Medicinal (tea/tincture). Not a dinner mushroom.
- **Note:** confirmed genus by glossy woody top; exact species needs underside + host tree + spore print for anything you'd consume.

### Velvet-top / dye polypore (*Phaeolus schweinitzii*) - base of conifer, other side of driveway

![Velvet-top / dye polypore at pine base](https://wiki.flora.family/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/img-70bcc3183f3a.jpg)

- **ID:** Likely *Phaeolus schweinitzii* (velvet-top / dyer's polypore)
- **Look:** large dark-brown shelf bracket, matte/dry/velvety, irregular lobed surface, growing at root/butt of a pine (surrounded by pine needles, pine cone)
- **Texture:** tough, fibrous; fresh spec softer, gets brittle
- **Causes:** brown cubical butt rot in conifers
- **Edible?** No / inedible.
- **Note:** can be used to dye wool. Pore surface yellow-brown, bruises darker.

## Log conventions

- Add date, location on property, top-photo ID, and texture/edibility.
- Sugary/savory mis-ID watch: chicken of the woods = bright yellow/orange + fleshy; the two above are woody brackets, neither is it.