Carolina Morales Fungi Research - Cerioporus squamosus

The Cerioporus squamosus, also known as Dryad’s Saddle and Polyporus squamosus, is a bracket fungus that produces a saddle-shaped mushroom. It is called Dryad’s Saddle because tree nymphs, from Greek mythology, were thought to sit and ride the mushroom through the forest. This fungus, like other Polyporales, decomposes trees and can be found on decaying and living deciduous trees. The Dryad’s saddle produces a heart rot in the wood of trees which results in the trunk of the tree to soften, weaken, and break more easily. The fruiting body of this fungus is edible and is used in cooking but only when it is young. As it matures, the mushroom becomes firm, tough, and rubbery. Within a few weeks, the fruiting body becomes infested with maggots and inedible.

Posted on October 12, 2021 12:44 AM by ana-caro