Dyers Mazegill / Summer/ Autumn / Inedible

Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster, CC BY-SA 2.5 , via Wikimedia Commons

Prepare to enter the realm of nature’s artistic marvels as we delve into the world of the Dyers Mazegill (Phaeolus schweinitzii), an inedible mushroom that captivates with its intricate beauty.

Join us on a journey of discovery as we explore the fascinating characteristics and unique attributes of this enigmatic fungus. With its vibrant hues of gold, orange, and brown, the Dyers Mazegill stands as a testament to nature’s creativity.

While inedible, it offers a world of value beyond the culinary realm. Learn about its preferred habitats, study its distinctive features, and uncover the historical significance of its dyes. From its ability to produce rich pigments to its potential use in artistic endeavours, this mushroom showcases the wonders of nature’s palette.

Whether you are a nature enthusiast, an artist, or a curious mind, let the Dyers Mazegill inspire you to appreciate the intricate marvels that nature presents. Immerse yourself in the beauty of this inedible fungi and celebrate its role in shaping the artistic tapestry of the natural world.

Scientific Name

Phaeolus schweinitzii

Common Names

Dyers Mazegill, Velvet-top fungus, Dyer’s polypore, Pine dye polypore

Family

Fomitopsidaceae

Habitat and season

They are a parasitic species and cause brown rot that degrades the cellulose in trees. Fairly common throughout the UK growing on conifers such as Pine, Spruce and Larch.

Identifying Features

A large bracket fungus that grows in overlapping tiers at the bases of trees. They are classed as inedible, they may contain toxins but their avoided really because of their bitter taste and tough texture. They can be used for creating natural dyes.

Fruit body

They don’t have a regular cap or gills, the fruit body starts as a small globular, bright yellow lump. As they age they become more fan or shelf like and darken in colour but at their growing edge they will still be yellow and soft. The tops are concentrically grooved and are covered in velvety hairs. The underside is covered in tiny irregular, pores that look a little like a maze hence Mazegill. The pores are yellow but will darken when damaged. The main growing period is in summer and autumn but they do survive all year round often turning black in winter.

Stem

They have a short, thick, dark stem.

Smell

No real smell.

Spores

White to yellow.

Known hazards

There is debate about whether this is a toxic species, so it’s not one that we would recommend, even if it is non-toxic it’s bitter and has a tough texture so at best it’s not worthwhile.

Could Be Confused With

It could be confused with other Polypore’s but the velvety texture of the Dyers Mazegill is a good ID feature, the most similar looking fungus is the Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) it’s a similar colour but has a softer texture and it’s mostly found on Beech and Oak trees. (The only conifer it grows on is Yew)

Edible Use

None, there is debate about whether this is a toxic species, so it’s not one that we would recommend, even if it is non-toxic it’s bitter and has a tough texture so at best it’s not worthwhile.

Notes on Herbal Use

None known.

Extra notes from the Foragers

The scientific name is schweinitzii is in honour of the American mycologist Lewis David von Schweinitz (1780-1834), who is considered to be the father of mycology in the USA.

The common name Dyer’s Mazegill comes from its historic use in dyeing yarn. Various shades of yellow, orange and brown can be obtained, depending on the age of the fruit body and the type of metal used as a mordant to bind the dye to the fabric.