Sarah Brown
Chicken of the Woods, also known as sulphur shelf, chicken mushroom, and chicken fungus, is a wild, edible bracket fungus. It is easily recognisable by its bright orange and yellow colours and shelf-like growth. It has a meaty texture and a mild, lemony flavour reminiscent of chicken, crab, or lobster. Chicken of the Woods is a polypore mushroom, meaning it has small pores on the underside instead of gills. It is found growing on or at the base of dead or dying hardwood trees, most commonly on oak, but also on cherry, beech, eucalyptus, yew, sweet chestnut, and willow. It is considered a delicacy, but in some parts of the world, it is seen as a pest as it causes brown rot, a type of tree decay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Chicken of the Woods, Chicken Mushroom, Chicken Fungus, Sulphur Shelf, Laetiporus |
| Colour | Bright Orange, Yellow, Pale Yellow, White |
| Size | 2-20 inches across |
| Shape | Shelf-like, Fan-shaped |
| Texture | Dense, Meaty |
| Taste | Succulent, Mild, Lemony, Crab, Lobster |
| Nutrition | High-Protein, Low-Calorie, Low-Fat, Vitamin D, Potassium, Calcium, Fibre |
| Confused With | Hen of the Woods, Maitake, Jack-O'-Lantern Mushroom, Black Staining Polypore |
| Found On | Dead/Dying Trees, Eucalyptus, Yew, Cherry Wood, Sweet Chestnut, Willow, Conifers, Oak, Beech |
| Region | North America, Europe, Asia |
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What You'll Learn
- Chicken of the Woods is a bracket fungus, growing on the sides of trees
- It is also known as sulphur shelf, chicken mushroom, chicken fungus, and Laetiporus
- It is edible and has a lemony, meaty taste, similar to chicken, crab, or lobster
- It is low in fat, high in protein, and a good source of fibre and vitamins
- It is found in Canada, the US, Europe, and parts of Asia
Chicken of the Woods is a bracket fungus, growing on the sides of trees
Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) is a wild, edible bracket fungus that grows on the sides of trees. It is commonly found on oak trees but can also be found on cherry, beech, eucalyptus, yew, sweet chestnut, and willow trees. This fungus is easily recognisable due to its bright orange and yellow colours, forming shelf-like structures on the sides of trees. It has a distinctive appearance, with slightly grooved edges and a smooth or slightly wrinkled cap.
Chicken of the Woods gets its name from its similar meaty texture and mild, succulent flavour, which some people compare to chicken, crab, or lobster. It is a popular meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan dishes. The mushroom is low in fat, high in protein, and a good source of fibre, vitamin D, potassium, and calcium. However, it should not be consumed raw as it can cause digestive issues and stomach pain, which could be due to an allergic reaction or consuming a contaminated or undercooked mushroom.
This fungus is found throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia. It typically grows during late spring through fall in most areas and can reach sizes of 2 to 20 inches across, with some brackets weighing up to 100 pounds. Chicken of the Woods is one of the easiest mushrooms for beginner foragers to find due to its distinctive appearance and growth on the sides of trees.
There are multiple species of Chicken of the Woods, including Laetiporus cincinnatus, which has a creamy-coloured underside, and Laetiporus conifericola, which is found on conifer trees. While all species are edible, some are believed to be more likely to cause digestive issues. It is important to properly identify the species and cook the mushroom thoroughly before consumption.
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It is also known as sulphur shelf, chicken mushroom, chicken fungus, and Laetiporus
Chicken of the Woods is a wild, edible bracket fungus, which grows on the sides of trees and forms shelf-like structures. It is also known as sulphur shelf, chicken mushroom, chicken fungus, and Laetiporus. The mushroom is easily recognisable due to its bright orange and yellow colours. It is also unique in that it has small pores on the underside instead of gills.
The sulphur shelf mushroom is commonly found in the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. In North America, seven species of Chicken of the Woods have been identified, which are separated based on which side of the Rocky Mountains they grow. Three new species were identified in 2001, all of which were previously assumed to be L. sulphureus.
Chicken of the Woods is a highly sought-after mushroom, especially for beginner foragers, due to its distinct appearance and flavour. It has a meaty texture and a mild, succulent flavour, which some liken to chicken, crab, or lobster. It is often used as a meat substitute in vegetarian or vegan dishes.
The mushroom grows to a diameter of 2 to 10 inches and is found in clusters, with overlapping caps that can be smooth or slightly wrinkled. It is a polypore mushroom, meaning it disperses spores through small pores on the underside of its caps. It is saprotrophic, feeding on dead trees, and parasitic, attacking and killing live trees by causing the wood to rot.
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It is edible and has a lemony, meaty taste, similar to chicken, crab, or lobster
Chicken of the Woods, also known as sulphur shelf, chicken mushroom, and chicken fungus, is an edible mushroom with a lemony, meaty taste, similar to chicken, crab, or lobster. It is easily recognisable due to its bright orange and yellow colours and shelf-like structure. It is commonly found growing on the sides of trees, often in clusters. With age, the colours of the mushroom dull from bright yellow to orange and then pure white.
Chicken of the Woods is a highly sought-after mushroom, especially for beginner foragers, due to its dense, meaty texture and unique flavour. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes, such as pasta, risotto, sandwiches, soups, or sauces. The mushroom is also known for its nutritional benefits, including being low in fat, high in protein, and a good source of fibre, vitamin D, potassium, and calcium.
While Chicken of the Woods is edible, it is important to cook it thoroughly before consuming as eating it raw can cause digestive issues. It is also recommended to start with a small portion to ensure it agrees with your digestive system. Some species of Chicken of the Woods, such as those found on conifer trees, may be more likely to cause digestive problems.
The mushroom has a distinctive appearance, making it relatively easy to identify. It has a smooth or slightly wrinkled cap, with grooved edges and a yellow undersurface covered in tiny pores. The caps can range from 2 to 12 inches in diameter, and the entire mushroom can grow to a significant size, with some brackets weighing up to 100 pounds.
Chicken of the Woods is a fascinating and delicious mushroom that can be enjoyed in various culinary preparations while also offering nutritional benefits. However, it is always important to properly identify mushrooms and exercise caution when consuming wild fungi.
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It is low in fat, high in protein, and a good source of fibre and vitamins
Chicken of the Woods, also known as sulphur shelf, chicken mushroom, and chicken fungus, is an excellent source of nutrition. This mushroom is low in fat, high in protein, and a good source of fibre and vitamins.
Chicken of the Woods is a wild, edible fungus that grows on the sides of trees and forms shelf-like structures. It is easily recognisable due to its bright orange and yellow colours, with a smooth or slightly wrinkled texture. Its distinct appearance makes it a popular choice for mushroom hunters. The caps of these mushrooms can range from 2 to 12 inches in diameter and are semi-circular to fan-shaped. They grow in overlapping layers, resembling small shelves or layered shingles.
Chicken of the Woods gets its name from its similar meaty texture and taste to chicken. Its mild, succulent flavour has notes of lemon and is also likened to crab or lobster. This mushroom is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a meat substitute in various dishes, making it a favourite among vegetarians and vegans.
In addition to its culinary uses, Chicken of the Woods is believed to have medicinal properties. While research in this area is limited, one study has indicated that it inhibits bacterial growth. It is important to note that this mushroom should always be cooked before consumption to avoid potential digestive issues. Overall, Chicken of the Woods is a nutritious and delicious addition to any meal.
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It is found in Canada, the US, Europe, and parts of Asia
Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) is a wild, edible bracket fungus that grows on the sides of trees and forms shelf-like structures. It is commonly known as the chicken mushroom or chicken fungus because its texture and taste are reminiscent of chicken meat. It is found throughout Canada, the US, Europe, and parts of Asia.
Chicken of the Woods is native to central-east Canada and north-east United States (zones 4-7), but it can also be found elsewhere. In North America, seven species of Chicken of the Woods can be found, separated by which side of the Rocky Mountains they grow on. The species found in North America are genetically distinct from those in Europe.
The chicken mushroom is easily recognisable due to its bright orange and yellow colours. It has a distinctive appearance, with a smooth or slightly wrinkled cap and grooved edges. The caps are about 2 to 12 inches (5 to 30 cm) across, semi-circular to fan-shaped, and occur in overlapping clusters. The underside of the mushroom is bright yellow and covered with tiny pores, while the top surface tends to lighten in colour towards the edges. As the mushroom ages, its colour dulls from bright yellow to orange and then pure white, and the specimen becomes brittle.
Chicken of the Woods grows on dead or dying hardwood trees, most commonly oak, but also on cherry, beech, eucalyptus, yew, chestnut, and willow. It can also be found on dead conifer stumps and has been known to fruit on living trees as well. This fungus is saprotrophic, feeding on dead trees, and parasitic, attacking and killing live trees by causing wood rot.
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