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Chicken-of-the-woods

Laetiporus gilbertsonii

A species of Laetiporus, Also known as Western chicken-of-the-woods

Chicken-of-the-woods is a brightly-colored polypore related to the famed Chicken-of-the-Woods (Laetiporus sulphereus). The species are so closely related, that it was not until the 2000s that mycologists considered them to be distinct. Unlike its famed relative, the species is not considered a choice edible - there are conflicting reports as to its edibility, with some probable cases of gastrointestinal distress noted.

Cap Diameter:

5 - 15 cm

Odor:

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

General Info About Chicken-of-the-woods

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Attributes of Chicken-of-the-woods

Cap Diameter

5 - 15 cm

Cap

Cap 6 - 14 cm across; fan-shaped to semicircula; bright to pale yellow or orangish yellow

Cap Surfaces

Velvety

Stem Surfaces

Smooth to slightly fibrous

Flesh

Thick; soft, watery, chalky; yellowish to whitish; not changing when sliced

Spore Print Color

White

Odor

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

Body Color

Yellow

Orange

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Solitary, Gregarious, Clustered

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic, Parasitic

Substrate

Wood of Living Trees, Dead Woods

You can find Chicken-of-the-woods by these plants:

Eucalypts

Occurence Habitats

Deciduous Woodland

Endangered Species

How to Identify Chicken-of-the-woods

Fruiting Body Cap Flesh

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Habitat of Chicken-of-the-woods

The chicken-of-the-woods commonly grows in wooded areas and it's associated with hardwood trees such as eucalyptus or oak. The species grows on dead wood, logs, and stumps, or sometimes on the trunk of a living tree.

Scientific Classification of Chicken-of-the-woods

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Shelf fungi

Family

Bracket polypores

Genus

Laetiporus

Similar Species to Chicken-of-the-woods

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Tips for Finding Chicken-of-the-woods

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What are Some Tips for Finding Chicken-of-the-woods

Search on or near the trunks and branches of oaks and eucalyptus trees.
Inspect areas where these trees are commonly found, such as wooded regions, parks, and forests.
Look for distinctive, fan-shaped fruiting bodies that may appear alone or in groups.
Check above ground level on wood, as chicken-of-the-woods typically does not grow on soil.

How to Clean and Preserve Chicken-of-the-woods

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Common Questions People Also Ask

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Where does chicken-of-the-woods found?

More Mushrooms That Are Similar to Chicken-of-the-woods

Chicken of the woods

Laetiporus sulphureus