There is one question which my colleagues who take bird-watching expeditions, lichen forays and even wild flower hunts seldom have to answer - it is "Can you eat it?" Most fungi are neither edible (poisonous, too small, too tough, too bitter etc) nore poisonous, but they are all interesting. This Chapter is devoted to these species. Here is one to get us started.

I have a great fondness for this common inhabitant of pine woods. It usually looks a bit worse for wear but a fresh one like to one pictured here is quite beautiful. It does get a mention in my Mushroom Handbook as being a possible source of confusion for anyone after Chicken of the Woods. The biggest clue is that it always grows on the ground, CotW is usually found up a tree.

Phaeolus schwienitzii - the Dyer's Mazegill: