Dryads Saddle, is this a fungi that we should be more aware of?

Dryads Saddle (Polyporus squamosus)

Dryads Saddle (Polyporos squamosus), is a common wild fungi native to Britain, often found growing on both Beech and Sycamore trees in late Spring and early Summer.

One of the more common names it has, is the "Pheasants Back mushroom" as the colour and markings are similar to the light brown feathers of hen pheasants.

A popular mushroom to forage for in Britain as well as mainland Europe, Dryads saddle, when young, has a meaty robust flavour and texture making it a popular alternative to meat. However, this fungi is far from a one trick pony as it has numerous uses outside of the obvious culinary ones. In Romania for instance, a dye is extracted from the fruiting body that is then used to colour sheep and goats wool.

For me tho, one of the most fascinating and underreported uses lay within its health and medicinal properties. According to the website "webmd.com", Dryads saddle has the following nutritional values per 100g

• 17.14g of protein

• 2.69g of fat

• 77.02g of carbohydrates

• 1968 micrograms of vitamin E

• 10.33% of fibre

Additionally it is a rich source of vitamins B1, B2 and B12 as well as vitamins C & D. It also contains high levels of antioxidants like Carotenoids and Terpenoids.

Dryads Saddle fungi health benefits include, immune boosting and anti-inflammatory effects, antimicrobial properties and anti-oxidant effects.

Anti-cancer effects

The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this remarkable fungi can play a pivotal role in fighting cancer as it contains the lectin protein PSL1a, which can selectively bind to molecules in cancer cells like glycans.

Once it binds to these molecules, it releases compounds and enzymes that actively breakdown proteins in the cancer cells and kills them. In biology this is known as "cytotoxicity". Further research has shown that Dryads Saddle can both destroy and prevent the growth of mammalian cancer cells.

Growing and cultivation.

Whilst Dryads Saddle does grow wild in Britain, it is often found high up in Beech trees making collecting or foraging for it quite tricky, so growing at home to be able to get the culinary and health benefits would seem the best option. It is a relatively fast colonising and growing mushroom that can easily be cultivated at home with little to no specialist equipment or knowledge.

Preferring a substrate of "Masters mix" (a 50/50 mix of hardwood fuel pellets and soya hull pellets), it does well at temperatures around 18c-20c with a humidity of 85% to 90% and can be harvested approximately 7-10 days after it begins to pin.

Culinary Use

As previously stated, this mushroom has a firm, meaty and robust texture making it an ideal substitute for meats like beef or chicken. Best harvested when the fruiting bodies are 3"-4" tall and the caps have flattened and about the size of your palm, (the above picture shows an ideal harvest formation and size). Avoid using the lower part of the stipes (stems) as these can be a little tough, instead, use the caps and upper part of the stem for best results.

Slice thinly and sautéed in butter or olive oil with some crushed garlic and thyme then added into a creamy pasta or served on toasted and buttered sourdough bread, Dryads saddle makes for a tasty and filling meal.

Adrian Rose - The Pendle Mushroom Company