Black Staining Polypore and Berkeley’s Polypore
Black Staining Polypore (Meripilus sumstinei) is an abundant mushroom that often grows at the base of trees. These mushroom clusters are found in the summer and fall months. Black Staining Polypore grows solitary or in groups around hardwood trees and stumps. This mushroom is velvety to touch and has a loose wavy structure that forms a rosette shape.
I often mistake this mushroom from maitake or Berkeley's polypore from a distance. The easiest way to distinguish Black Staining Polypore from similar mushrooms is see if the mushroom bruises. This mushroom starts off a light beige color, but turns brownish- black after it is cut or bruised.
This mushroom has a reputation for being tough and chewy, but the newer growth of the mushroom is more soft and tender. I'm fairly selective and try to choose the softest parts of the mushroom.
I like to cook a pulled pork style sandwich with these black stained polypores. The first step is to cook some onions in butter. Next I need to separate the mushroom into little strands to have the pulled pork texture and to make sure the mushroom is not too chewy in every bite. This mushroom readily absorbs the flavor of whatever you add to it, so I'm combining it with some barbecue sauce. The flavor of this dish was remarkably similar to pulled pork. The major difference being how chewy it is! This mushroom will give your jaws a workout!
Berkley’s Polypore - A (Technically) Edible Look-a-like
Berkeley’s Polypore (Bondarzewia berkeleyi) is a common edible mushroom that looks similar. This mushroom is an off white or tan in color and they don’t stain a dark color like Black staining Polypore. These mushrooms grow at the base of hardwood trees and stumps, mostly oaks. Berkeley’s Polypore are a thick, corky mushrooms often with wrinkles and zoning on the top. These rosette shaped fungi grow solitary under their chosen tree. Bondarzewia berkeleyi can be found summer through fall.
The mushrooms are edible, when they are young and tender. These aren’t the best mushroom to eat as they get be really tough, but they technically edible!
