Chicken of the Woods mushrooms
Laetiporus is a genus of edible mushrooms found throughout much of the world. Some species, especially Laetiporus sulphureus, are commonly known as sulphur shelf, chicken of the woods, the chicken mushroom, or the chicken fungus because many think they taste like chicken. The name "chicken of the woods" is not to be confused with the edible polypore, Maitake (Grifola frondosa) known as "hen of the woods", or withLyophyllum decastes, known as the "fried chicken mushroom".
Chicken of the woods is an orange edible shelf mushroom that grows in the forests of British Columbia. It is known for its meaty texture and bright-orange-to-yellow colouring
"Chicken of the woods" is the common name for all edible Laetiporus mushrooms. The chicken of the woods species found in British Columbia are Laetiporus gilbertsonii and Laetiporus conifericola. Members of this genus are found all over the world and are sometimes called "chicken of the forest" or "sulphur shelf".
There is a lot of speculation about the edibility of chicken of the woods growing on different kinds of trees. However, it is unlikely that the type of tree it grows on makes any difference. A small but significant number of people simply have a bad reaction to eating this mushroom, so caution is advised.
How To Identify Chicken Of The Woods
Identifying chicken of the woods is relatively easy compared to other mushrooms. Look for these features and characteristics:
Fan-like shape of relatively even thickness
Smooth surface
Firm texture similar to a hard rubber, becoming more woody at the base
Bright orange to light lemon yellow at the margin and underneath
No gills, spines, teeth, or comb-like structures underneath
No stem
Where To Find Chicken Of The Woods
Laetiporus species are parasitic, growing either from dead trees, or from cracks or stumps on living ones. The mushrooms cause brown rot in their hosts, breaking down of the cellulose structure and leaving the blocks of brown wood matter behind.
Laetiporus gilbertsonii grows on varieties of hardwoods, including decorative plum and cherry trees in urban areas.
Laetiporus conifericola grows on conifers, especially hemlock, spruce, and Douglas fir.
If you find a chicken of the woods mushroom, take note of the location because they will likely appear in subsequent years. However, they are efficient decomposers and will eventually deplete their host.
Chicken of the woods appear sporadically and seemingly at random. You may find one growing next to a busy street, or deep in a forest. Unlike, say, oyster mushrooms, where any stand of dead alders in a creek looks promising, there are no good places to start with chicken of the woods.
Simply walk around at the right time of the year and keep your eyes open, and eventually you'll find them.
Chicken Of The Woods Season in BC
The best time to find chicken of the woods in southern British Columbia is late August. More generally, chicken of the woods can be found from late spring through to early fall.
Harvesting Chicken Of The Woods
Only harvest chicken of the woods when the colour is bright and clear. Browning or discoloured specimens should be avoided. Furthermore, only the most tender parts of the mushroom near the margin should be eaten.
Starting at their base, chicken of the woods mushrooms become pale and the texture becomes more like cork as they get older. Eventually, they turn to chalk and fall off the tree. Finding clumps of white chalk around a dead tree is a good sign that chicken of the woods will fruit on it the next year.
When chicken of the woods mushrooms do fruit, they can appear in large quantities, enough for several meals.
The specimen of chicken of the woods to the right is well past its prime.
Sulphur Shelf Mushrooms - Naming & Classification
Until relatively recently, chicken of the woods mushrooms in British Columbia were classified as Laetiporus sulphureus. However, a publication in 2001 by Harold H. Burdsall and Mark T. Banik recognized two new and distinct species in western North America. The first, L. gilbertsonii, was classified on the basis of a specimen discovered in California's Golden Gate Park, and the second, L. conifericola was based on a specimen collected in Alaska.
L. gilbertsonii versus L. conifericola
Laetiporus conifericola and Laetiporus gilbertsonii, the two varieties of chicken of the woods mushrooms found on Vancouver Island, are very similar and both are considered choice edibles. They are primarily distinguished by their substrate, as the former grows on conifers, and the latter grows on hardwoods (much like L. sulphureus).
Another possible difference is that L. conifericola is typically thinner and more "frilly", while L. gilbertsonii tends to be more bulbous and irregular.
Other "Chicken" Mushrooms In BC
There are a number of edible mushroom varieties named after chickens. For example, there is the maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa), also known as "hen of the woods", and the "fried chicken mushroom", Lyophyllum decastes. None of these mushrooms actually taste like chicken.
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