Hemlock varnish shelf

While hiking in a State Forest in Northeastern Pennsylvania I found a great specimen of a Hemlock varnish self fungi. As pictured, these were growing on a Hemlock tree stump near a stream. The proper name for the fungi is Ganoderma tsugae and it is considered non-poisonous but inedible because of it’s woody texture; however, it can be used in teas and extracts. The fruit bodies have been used medicinally for anti-tumor remedies.

Hemlock Varnish fungi