Dryad's saddle

Cerioporus squamosus, Polyporus squamosus

mushroom

A large bracket spotted like a saddle, picked young, tasting of watermelon rind and cucumber.

Origin

Broadleaf trees of Europe and North America

Where to find it

On maples, elms and willows in parks, along riverbanks and roadsides; American foragers pick it while hunting for morels.

Season (United States)

April to June · grows in your region

Preparation

It is thinly sliced and pan-fried for a few minutes. Only young and tender: it quickly becomes as tough as cork. If you pick it yourself, have the mushroom checked by a pharmacist or a mycological society before eating it.

Molecules

Mushroom beta-glucansIn small amounts, not counted Ergothioneine

Did you know?

In English it is also called “pheasant back”, for its brown scales.