fantastic fungi

A quieter day with no whizzing here and there; back to walking along the Cairn and spotting fungi. 

The main pic is a Birch Polypore, which isn't really edible but has been used by humans for thousands of years - a piece of this fungus was carried by Otzi, discovered in the Italian Alps in 1991 after being buried under the ice for over 5,000 years. He may have valued the polypore for its medicinal uses (one of which is to treat parasites - his intestine was infested with whipworm) or as tinder to start a fire. It has also been used to sharpen knives. If you are interested in learning more about the uses of this amazing mushroom - here you are.

My extra shows another very common fungus, the Stump (or pear-Shaped) Puffball. This one is edible.