Grifola frondosa: The Hen of the Woods

[ Basidiomycetes > Polyporales > Meripilaceae > Grifola . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

The "Hen of the Woods" is easily recognized by its smoky brown, wavy caps, organized in large clusters of rosettes arising from a single, branched stem structure. It is usually found near the bases of hardwood stumps, and occasionally on living hardwoods.

Grifola frondosa is a very good edible, but one should be careful to gather only very young specimens, or trim the softer, outer portions of the caps for the table. Use caution when trying this species for the first time; it is one of those for which "allergies" in some individuals are reported. I am one of those individuals, and I can tell you that the experience is not pleasant. The words "human faucet" come to mind. Try only a bite or two if you have never eaten it before--and, if things go well, the sturdy mushrooms will definitely last a day or two in the refrigerator for further consumption.

Description:

Ecology: Parasitic on hardwoods and conifers; possibly saprobic on decaying wood; causing a white butt rot; fruiting in large clusters of rosettes near the bases of trees; often reappearing in the same place in subsequent years; summer and fall; widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains, rare in the west.

Fruiting Body: Cluster 15-60 cm broad or more; individual caps 2-10 cm, fan-shaped, gray-brown (often with concentric zones), with wavy margins; pore surface lavender gray when young, becoming dirty whitish to yellowish, running down the stem(s); stem branches smooth, white, tough, usually lateral.

Flesh: Firm; white; tough.

Taste: Mild; odor mild.

Spore Print: White.

Microscopic Features: Spores 5-7 x 3.5-5 µ; smooth; broadly elliptical.

REFERENCES: (Fries, 1821) S. F. Gray, 1821. (Overholts, 1953; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1981; Arora, 1986; Gilbertson & Ryvarden, 1986; Phillips, 1991/2005; Lincoff, 1992; Roody, 2003.) Herb. Kuo 10070305.

Further Online Information:

Grifola frondosa at Roger's Mushrooms
Grifola frondosa at Fungi of Poland

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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2004, November). Grifola frondosa: The hen of the woods. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/grifola_frondosa.html