Diario del proyecto Plants of Mont Royal, Montreal

During the fungi bioblitz, I found a Cerioporus squamosus, more commonly known as the dryad's saddle. The species' unusual name comes from its flat and wide shape, resembling a saddle which might be used by a dryad, a forest nymph from Greek mythology (Young). It can grow as a saprophyte on fallen logs or parasitically on a wide range of living tree species (Young). The visible, shelf-like part of the fungus disperses white spores through numerous pores on its bottom side (Young). Fresh dryad's saddle mushrooms are edible and are said to release a scent similar to watermelon rind when cut (Young). They are known to cause heart rot in trees, which leads to decay in the centre of trunks and branches (Young).

Works Cited
Young, Curtis E. “From Woodlots to Landscapes: The Impressive Dryad's Saddle Polypore Fungus.” BYGL, The Ohio State University, 24 May 2019, https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1279.

The White Dapperling mushroom is commonly found throughout mainland Europe, as well as parts of North America. The species tends to be localized, thus they can be found in large groups spread across fields. In 1835, Carlos Vittadini first described the mushroom, giving it the scientific name Agaricus leucothites. However, the name was later transferred to Leucoagaricus leucothites by Solomon P Wasser. Although the species is labelled slightly poisonous by some authorities, the mushroom is still considered edible.

Leucoagaricus leucothites (Vittad.) Wasser - White Dapperling. Leucoagaricus leucothites, White Dapperling mushroom. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2021, from https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/leucoagaricus-leucothites.php.