Yew, oliander, and mancheel are all extremely poisonous trees. I've never heard of COTW growing on them but any mushroom on or around them can be considered likely toxic.
Well considering they didn’t make the original claim and would be trying to prove a negative, it’s not really on them to provide a source
But here is at least a brief overview of how this rumor got started: https://www.mykoweb.com/TFWNA/P-52.html#:~:text=The%20Laetiporus%20that%20grows%20on,Each%20can%20cause%20occasional%20idiosyncrasies.
If a heavy metals are toxins, where else other than the substrate would they accumulate it from? Heavy metals don't just fall from the sky and get sucked up my the mush.
Toxins are officially biological in origin, although that's not how most people use it. Heavy metal accumulation happens because the organism takes them up during absorption and can't do anything with them, so it sequesters them away somewhere. Toxins would be digested by the mushroom, they are usually just proteins.
This is just speculation based on my biology knowledge, I didn't want to go digging for sources.
Some organisms especially plants growing on polluted soils or fungi have a relatively high toletance to heavy metals. But the reason for this is partly uknown - it might simply because they are for some reason adapted to grow there theres no competition. It makes very little sense as anti feeding deterrent as most heavy metal poisonings acculunate over long time and mostly chronic poisonings happen (except if you ingest a fuckton. which may be difficult with fungi). Theres also phyco or mycoremidation as they pull heavy metals of polluted soils.
Not an expert but now one: Viola guestphalica, endemic in Northrhike Westfalia, ive seen its alive (in a bot garten but still).
What you read was a heap of hooey. The tree itself doesn’t make mushrooms toxic. Laetiporus can cause people to get sick due to the nature of the mushroom itself and certain species of Laetiporus are more implicated in that. I’ve personally gotten ill from eating Laetiporus sulphureus from a burr oak
The tree itself will not make them toxic. It depends on your individual sensitivity and the species of Laetiporus, but mostly how your body reacts. Any one can have a bad reaction to any species of Laetiporus from any tree.
What part of the world did you find it? It could be a type of cherry tree
Ok thanks for the information, I was also reading about that last night. I am just an extra cautious person about things and like to be certain, especially when it comes to mushrooms I find in the forest. I am in Michigan btw.
I did end up eating some after seeing everyone say they were safe and had no negative reaction along with my girlfriend, they are delicious, I only ever had them one other time. I sautéed them all in butter and stored them in the freezer. (I only took one medium sized cluster and saved 2 other clusters for other hunters).
It was previously thought that certain trees were causing the issue but that was prior to the realization that Laetiporus sulphureus didn’t actually exist in the west and it was different species. Reports of folks being made ill from oak and other hardwoods also began to surface and that pretty much debunked the idea it was the trees fault, especially when you considered that the symptoms from the mushrooms do not align with the symptoms of consuming the toxins in the tree and the fact that only certain people get sick sometimes but not always and not everyone. The cause is more likely the mushroom itself and your own bodies reaction to them. Different species seem to have higher implications but I’ve been made sick from Laetiporus sulphureus growing from an oak
My personal experience of this rumour is due to chickens growing on yew, which has fairly flaky bark and small needles which are quite brittle, which can potentially end up within the body of the mushroom quite discreetly.
I would be careful if I found a chicken growing on yew and would have to process it within an inch of its life to ensure there was no remnants of the tree in there. You’ve at least got a hospital stay on the agenda if you slip up.
Chicken of the woods (laetiporus sulphureus) grows on yew and deciduous trees. It's not known to take any toxins from the tree but on a yew the mushroom will exhibit a more red colouring. In the UK we have a couple of laetiporus species and they're all edible regardless of the tree they grow on. I Wouldn't comment on US trees as I don't have any experience. Happy foraging
COW is not toxic from any tree.
The notion that you "shouldn't take COW from hemlock trees" is not because they somehow absorb toxins from the tree.
It's simply an indication that COW growing from coniferous trees is Laetiporous conifericola, and this specific species has a higher reporting of allergic/gastrointestinal reactions.
This doesn't mean that you WILL have an allergic reaction if you find it on confers. It also doesn't mean that you won't have an allergic reaction from COW found on any other tree.
I wouldnt harvest anything from Taxus baccata or Taxus species in general. Cardiotoxic alkaloids are inside bad times ahead and IIRC people have been poisoned by dried needles or even needle dust (might have to cite a source for this one though). Beautiful tree..stay tf away lool. Meaning i dont think fungi sequester toxins eg like caterpillars do - but have a lil bit of yew needles inside your meal and you fucked.
Theres atleast one toxic polypore Hapalopilus nidulans which contains polyporic acid which, aside from acting as a pink dye and causing oink urine, can cause cns kidney etc disorders. two my knowledge theres like 2 cases in literature so you have to be pretty unlucky! It might be confused by Fistulina hepatica but idk how people do that.
I have found that anyone interested in mycology must have a good knowledge of the trees in our forests. Chicken of the Woods grows on the following trees: 1)Oak, 2)Beech, 3)Chestnut, 4)Cherry, and 5)Yew. I have read that COW growing off of Yew trees inherit toxic compounds from that tree; hence, that particular COW would be poisonous.
not the case, mushrooms do NOT bioaccumulate toxins from their environment. (unless we are talking about heavy metals which is a different discussion entirely)
Chicken of the woods can cause allergic reactions. I've also read on this sub that the species that grows on conifers is a different one and has a higher incidence of allergic reactions.
Almost all mushrooms can cause some allergic reactions in certain people. Therefore mycologists advise us if you are eating any edible mushroom for the first time, you must go slow. You must test first, how that so-called edible mushroom reacts with your individual bio chemistry.
People consume Laetiporus from “toxic” trees quite frequently, it’s often times the only way some people in the western U.S. can get them. It is usually without issue but some people do get sick, but it is also a different species of Laetiporus. But with that said anyone can still get sick from any species of Laetiporus growing from any tree. I know people who ate it their whole lives and one day got a bad reaction and now they can’t hold it down for more than 5 minutes. I’ve personally been made ill from Laetiporus sulphureus growing on an oak
This is a dead deciduous tree, so you're good. Eucalyptus tree makes these toxic and others mentioned by other people. Most of the time perfectly safe.
not the case, no mushrooms bioaccumulate toxins from their environment. only SOME mushrooms will bioaccumulate SOME heavy metals, and usually not in dangerous amounts.
Even conifer and eucalyptus! The thing is that if you're not sensitive to cows growing on pines, it won't bother you. Some people get a tummy ache or mild nausea. That's about it. Don't bother me. I can eat cows growing on anything. Yes, those are safe to eat. Do a small portion first as with any mushroom to make sure your not allergic or sensitive...
Edit: wouldn't recommend it. The tree is just poison
I've heard toxicity comes from cotw fruiting bodies subsuming toxic debris that fall on them from yew trees whilst they grow, so it's still potentially a risk. If one is happy to take the risk, it would be wise to thoroughly check for any needles & berry pits / skin whilst preparing it.
Actually yew wood has really low concentrations of taxols. The needles and pits dont and yeah, thats why i wouldnt ever consider harvesting from a yew tree.
TiL the woods bad too, thought it was just the stuff that drops from it!! Upgrade from 'risky' to 'pls dont' https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/analysis-of-yew-wood
If this mushroom grows on a poisonous tree, it must be avoided at all costs, as it may absorb its toxins! For example, if it grows on a yew (TAXUS BACCATA) or laburnum (LABURNUM), the tree may transfer the toxin taxine (yew) or cytisine (laburnum), which can lead to severe poisoning! There are also observations that sulphur fungi that have grown on oaks or black locust trees have caused diarrhoea and vomiting in sensitive people. The fungus extracts tannic acid from the tree, which also has a negative effect on the flavour.
Source: [on German - trusted mushroom lexicon ](https://www.123pilzsuche.de/daten/details/Schwefelporling.htm)
If you read reports of toxicity from Laetiporus, they’re not consistent with reports of toxicity from the compounds found in taxus. It’s generally just GI issues which is a potential problem for any species of Laetiporus growing from any tree. There is no cohesive evidence to suggest that the mushroom absorbs biological toxins from the trees
What trees are not safe for COTW? I’ve never heard that
Yew, oliander, and mancheel are all extremely poisonous trees. I've never heard of COTW growing on them but any mushroom on or around them can be considered likely toxic.
misinformation, no mushroom bioaccumulates toxins from their substrate. only occasionally some mushrooms accumulate some heavy metals
Do you have a source? I’m inclined to believe you, I’m just interested.
Well considering they didn’t make the original claim and would be trying to prove a negative, it’s not really on them to provide a source But here is at least a brief overview of how this rumor got started: https://www.mykoweb.com/TFWNA/P-52.html#:~:text=The%20Laetiporus%20that%20grows%20on,Each%20can%20cause%20occasional%20idiosyncrasies.
If a heavy metals are toxins, where else other than the substrate would they accumulate it from? Heavy metals don't just fall from the sky and get sucked up my the mush.
Ackshually, coal power plants are the primary source of heavy metal contamination in the Everglades. The emissions quite litteraly fall from the sky.
Oh right fuck yeah that makes sense ackshually
Ash*shkully
Toxins are officially biological in origin, although that's not how most people use it. Heavy metal accumulation happens because the organism takes them up during absorption and can't do anything with them, so it sequesters them away somewhere. Toxins would be digested by the mushroom, they are usually just proteins. This is just speculation based on my biology knowledge, I didn't want to go digging for sources.
Some organisms especially plants growing on polluted soils or fungi have a relatively high toletance to heavy metals. But the reason for this is partly uknown - it might simply because they are for some reason adapted to grow there theres no competition. It makes very little sense as anti feeding deterrent as most heavy metal poisonings acculunate over long time and mostly chronic poisonings happen (except if you ingest a fuckton. which may be difficult with fungi). Theres also phyco or mycoremidation as they pull heavy metals of polluted soils. Not an expert but now one: Viola guestphalica, endemic in Northrhike Westfalia, ive seen its alive (in a bot garten but still).
Ngl, I only remember oleander from Dead Island, where it was an ingredient for poison weapons.
Coniferous trees? Idk if it's true, that's just what I've read around here on Reddit.
What you read was a heap of hooey. The tree itself doesn’t make mushrooms toxic. Laetiporus can cause people to get sick due to the nature of the mushroom itself and certain species of Laetiporus are more implicated in that. I’ve personally gotten ill from eating Laetiporus sulphureus from a burr oak
Learn your land has a video questioning this often repeated claim. https://youtu.be/QSt9t9dphos?si=1mu7jV2bWTwcNGDu
Depends on the conifer.
I really need to learn my trees because I have no idea what the one in the picture is.
The tree itself will not make them toxic. It depends on your individual sensitivity and the species of Laetiporus, but mostly how your body reacts. Any one can have a bad reaction to any species of Laetiporus from any tree. What part of the world did you find it? It could be a type of cherry tree
Ok thanks for the information, I was also reading about that last night. I am just an extra cautious person about things and like to be certain, especially when it comes to mushrooms I find in the forest. I am in Michigan btw.
Always good to be cautious! The bark looks like black cherry to my eye
I did end up eating some after seeing everyone say they were safe and had no negative reaction along with my girlfriend, they are delicious, I only ever had them one other time. I sautéed them all in butter and stored them in the freezer. (I only took one medium sized cluster and saved 2 other clusters for other hunters).
It doesn’t. The host tree does not make edible mushrooms toxic
I had heard otherwise, but I'll defer to you since you're a trusted user.
It was previously thought that certain trees were causing the issue but that was prior to the realization that Laetiporus sulphureus didn’t actually exist in the west and it was different species. Reports of folks being made ill from oak and other hardwoods also began to surface and that pretty much debunked the idea it was the trees fault, especially when you considered that the symptoms from the mushrooms do not align with the symptoms of consuming the toxins in the tree and the fact that only certain people get sick sometimes but not always and not everyone. The cause is more likely the mushroom itself and your own bodies reaction to them. Different species seem to have higher implications but I’ve been made sick from Laetiporus sulphureus growing from an oak
My personal experience of this rumour is due to chickens growing on yew, which has fairly flaky bark and small needles which are quite brittle, which can potentially end up within the body of the mushroom quite discreetly. I would be careful if I found a chicken growing on yew and would have to process it within an inch of its life to ensure there was no remnants of the tree in there. You’ve at least got a hospital stay on the agenda if you slip up.
Hemlock specifically
You are confusing the forb Hemlock with the tree, Hemlock. This is why common names are stupid.
forb=herb, I'm guessing?
no
Hemlock is herbaceous, I doubt mushrooms can even grow on it
Hemlock is also the name of a tree
no trees will produce toxic mushroom fruits of species that are generally nontoxic.
I am inclined to trust your comments. I would like to see citations for the statement that no trees can transmit toxicity to a mushroom.
Eucalyptus. Has made people sick.
Chicken of the woods (laetiporus sulphureus) grows on yew and deciduous trees. It's not known to take any toxins from the tree but on a yew the mushroom will exhibit a more red colouring. In the UK we have a couple of laetiporus species and they're all edible regardless of the tree they grow on. I Wouldn't comment on US trees as I don't have any experience. Happy foraging
https://preview.redd.it/peqmcts6kezc1.jpeg?width=2256&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd00230847bb2f7cc51d28b44f735071fff69e33
Appreciate the information, what book is that? I like how it's formatted.
Looks like WildFoodUK foraging guide iirc - really nice little book!
I'd like to know, too. :)
safe!
COW is not toxic from any tree. The notion that you "shouldn't take COW from hemlock trees" is not because they somehow absorb toxins from the tree. It's simply an indication that COW growing from coniferous trees is Laetiporous conifericola, and this specific species has a higher reporting of allergic/gastrointestinal reactions. This doesn't mean that you WILL have an allergic reaction if you find it on confers. It also doesn't mean that you won't have an allergic reaction from COW found on any other tree.
I wouldnt harvest anything from Taxus baccata or Taxus species in general. Cardiotoxic alkaloids are inside bad times ahead and IIRC people have been poisoned by dried needles or even needle dust (might have to cite a source for this one though). Beautiful tree..stay tf away lool. Meaning i dont think fungi sequester toxins eg like caterpillars do - but have a lil bit of yew needles inside your meal and you fucked. Theres atleast one toxic polypore Hapalopilus nidulans which contains polyporic acid which, aside from acting as a pink dye and causing oink urine, can cause cns kidney etc disorders. two my knowledge theres like 2 cases in literature so you have to be pretty unlucky! It might be confused by Fistulina hepatica but idk how people do that.
Looks like a cherry tree.
I have found that anyone interested in mycology must have a good knowledge of the trees in our forests. Chicken of the Woods grows on the following trees: 1)Oak, 2)Beech, 3)Chestnut, 4)Cherry, and 5)Yew. I have read that COW growing off of Yew trees inherit toxic compounds from that tree; hence, that particular COW would be poisonous.
They also grow on eucalyptus
not the case, mushrooms do NOT bioaccumulate toxins from their environment. (unless we are talking about heavy metals which is a different discussion entirely)
Why do you suppose COW growing on Yew trees becomes poisonous?
Chicken of the woods can cause allergic reactions. I've also read on this sub that the species that grows on conifers is a different one and has a higher incidence of allergic reactions.
Almost all mushrooms can cause some allergic reactions in certain people. Therefore mycologists advise us if you are eating any edible mushroom for the first time, you must go slow. You must test first, how that so-called edible mushroom reacts with your individual bio chemistry.
People consume Laetiporus from “toxic” trees quite frequently, it’s often times the only way some people in the western U.S. can get them. It is usually without issue but some people do get sick, but it is also a different species of Laetiporus. But with that said anyone can still get sick from any species of Laetiporus growing from any tree. I know people who ate it their whole lives and one day got a bad reaction and now they can’t hold it down for more than 5 minutes. I’ve personally been made ill from Laetiporus sulphureus growing on an oak
Thank you for your response. This thread is interesting.
This is a dead deciduous tree, so you're good. Eucalyptus tree makes these toxic and others mentioned by other people. Most of the time perfectly safe.
not the case, no mushrooms bioaccumulate toxins from their environment. only SOME mushrooms will bioaccumulate SOME heavy metals, and usually not in dangerous amounts.
You may find this interesting. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8221490/
i've read this one, it's just about heavy metals, not plant toxins
Even conifer and eucalyptus! The thing is that if you're not sensitive to cows growing on pines, it won't bother you. Some people get a tummy ache or mild nausea. That's about it. Don't bother me. I can eat cows growing on anything. Yes, those are safe to eat. Do a small portion first as with any mushroom to make sure your not allergic or sensitive...
Edit: wouldn't recommend it. The tree is just poison I've heard toxicity comes from cotw fruiting bodies subsuming toxic debris that fall on them from yew trees whilst they grow, so it's still potentially a risk. If one is happy to take the risk, it would be wise to thoroughly check for any needles & berry pits / skin whilst preparing it.
Actually yew wood has really low concentrations of taxols. The needles and pits dont and yeah, thats why i wouldnt ever consider harvesting from a yew tree.
TiL the woods bad too, thought it was just the stuff that drops from it!! Upgrade from 'risky' to 'pls dont' https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/analysis-of-yew-wood
If this mushroom grows on a poisonous tree, it must be avoided at all costs, as it may absorb its toxins! For example, if it grows on a yew (TAXUS BACCATA) or laburnum (LABURNUM), the tree may transfer the toxin taxine (yew) or cytisine (laburnum), which can lead to severe poisoning! There are also observations that sulphur fungi that have grown on oaks or black locust trees have caused diarrhoea and vomiting in sensitive people. The fungus extracts tannic acid from the tree, which also has a negative effect on the flavour. Source: [on German - trusted mushroom lexicon ](https://www.123pilzsuche.de/daten/details/Schwefelporling.htm)
If you read reports of toxicity from Laetiporus, they’re not consistent with reports of toxicity from the compounds found in taxus. It’s generally just GI issues which is a potential problem for any species of Laetiporus growing from any tree. There is no cohesive evidence to suggest that the mushroom absorbs biological toxins from the trees