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Grifola frondosa (Dicks. : Fr.) Gray 1821 Hen of the woods
Hen of the woods is native to Europe, northeastern Japan and the northeastern United States. Grifola is an Italian name for fungus; frondosa means "full of leaves." In Japan it is named maitake ("dancing mushroom") and sought after as a food and for its medicinal properties. (Don't confuse the common name "hen of the woods" for this species with "chicken of the woods" for the completely unrelated and very different-looking Laetiporus sulphureus). Identification: Hen of the woods is a polypore—a leathery mushroom that grows in wrinkly clusters, attached directly to the base of hardwood trees, especially oaks. Caps are gray brown, forming wavy, sinuous masses that are sometimes very large. (We found one group of clusters that together weighed about 25 pounds.) Each mushroom cap is ¾-4″ (2-10 cm) across. Edibility: A choice species. The branching stemlike structure is tough, but young fresh outer caps make delicious soups. It can also be sautéed, marinated, baked, stir-fried, or pickled. These mushrooms freeze well. Wash and wipe them well to remove any grit. They don't agree with everybody, so it doesn't hurt to try a smaller amount first. See wildmushroomrecipes.org for recipe ideas. Medical: Hen of the woods shows considerable promise as an immune system stimulant and a cancer inhibitor. Studies are underway to assess their value for these, as well as a possible aid for diabetes, HIV/AIDs, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Online References:
by Gary Emberger at Messiah College Michael Kuo's MushroomExpert.com Tom Volk's Fungi site, at the Department of Biology at the University of Wisconsin Mushroom-Collecting.com, a New England and Eastern Canada Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms site Shroomery: Magic Mushrooms Demystified
10/8/2006 · Milford, Pennsylvania
10/8/2006 · Milford, Pennsylvania
9/14/2023 · Nature Conservancy Access Trail, Sprague Pond, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm)
11/8/2015 · James River Park System, Virginia · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (55 × 36 cm)
Caloporus frondosus (Dicks. : Fr.) Quél. 1888 Polypilus frondosus (Dicks. : Fr.) P. Karst. 1882 Cladomeris frondosa (Dicks. : Fr.) Quél. 1886 Boletus frondosus Dicks. : Fr. 1785 Cladodendron frondosus (Dicks. : Fr.) Lázaro Ibiza 1916 Cladodendron frondosus (Dicks.) Lázaro Ibiza 1916 Merisma frondosum (Dicks. : Fr.) Gillet 1878 Polyporus frondosus (Dicks. : Fr.) Fr. 1838 Note: Sanctioned by Fries， Syst. Mycol. I:355， 1821.
Grifola frondosa description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Sep 2023.
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11/8/2015 · James River Park System, Virginia · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm)
9/14/2023 · Nature Conservancy Access Trail, Sprague Pond, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)
Michael MacDonald holding a small part of one day’s find—we couldn’t carry all of it. From Milford PA, 10/7/2006. Photo by Ellen Zachos. · 10/8/2006
9/24/2017 · Andres Institue of Art, Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)
10/8/2006 · Milford, Pennsylvania
11/8/2015 · James River Park System, Virginia · ≈ 18 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm)
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