Neolentinus lepideus

Also known as Lentinus lepideus

TRAIN-WRECKER

Order: Aphyllophorales. Family Polyporaceae

CAP YELLOW-WHITE WITH BROWNISH SCALES

Cap: 5-15 cm wide; convex to flat; yellowish or whitish, usually with brownish scales; distinctive odor.

GILLS BECOME SERRATED WITH AGE

Gills: attached; whitish, turning yellowish or brownish; edges serrated (saw-toothed) with age

STALK SCALY BELOW WHITISH RING

Stalk: 3-10 cm long, 1-3 cm thick; brownish scales below ring; solid, tough
Partial veil: whitish ring on upper stalk

SPORE PRINT WHITE

Spores: 6.5-12 x 2.5-3.5 µm, narrowly elliptic, smooth, thin-walled

Neolentinus lepideus

🍴Edible

FOUND ON DECAYING WOOD, FENCE POSTS

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The "train wrecker" is unlikely to cause train crashes these days because railroad ties are treated with chemical preservatives, preventing this mushroom from eating away railroad ties and causing a train to derail.

The train wrecker is hard to find, but occasionally appears on wood, sometimes buried wood, in the city. It's a leathery edible, but good—especially young specimens.

A famous Lentinus that's much easier to find in cities is Lentinus edodes or shiitake. Check out Asian markets for great deals on dried shiitake. Less tough and more subtle in flavor, the fresh variety—available at many grocery stores—are a real treat. You can grow your own on the kitchen table with a mushroom kit.