We found this type of mushrooms on a tree somewhere not far from the exit of the 1.6km jogging track in Stutong Park.  This type of mushrooms is categorized under Polypore. 

When the mushrooms line up on the surface of the trunk of the tree, they look like the staircase that allow small animals to climb up to the tree which is similar to what we can find in cartoons.

Polypores vs Boteles

[Polypores are a group of tough, leathery poroid mushrooms similar to Boletes, but typically lacking a distinct stalk. The technical distinction between the two types of mushrooms is that polypores do not have the spore-bearing tissue continuous along the entire underside of the mushroom.] – Quoted from Wikipedia.

From the picture above, it is proven that what the Wikipedia said is true.  [Polypores are often found on rotting logs, and are rot-resistant to the extent that they themselves often last long enough to have moss growing on them.] – Quoted from Wikipedia again.  :p  The moss was just next to it.

Continue my read up in Wikipedia, although their looks are not as attractive as Boletes, there are no poisonous species for Polypore and edible Polypores are quite common.  However, I do not dare to eat them unless I buy it from the supermarket.

[The famous Ötzi the Iceman was found carrying two different polypore species. One was notable for its antibacterial properties. The other was likely used for starting fires.]  I was amazed that the Polypore actually can be very useful.

I have heard that a type of Polypore called “Ling2Zhi1” in Chinese.  In can be used to cure cancer.  I am not sure it is true or not, but I found that its scientific name is called Ganoderma lucidum.

These are the aged polypore, their colour has turned dark and they have dust accumulated on their body.

Next time if you see polypores, do you dare to pluck them, cook them and eat them?